Rural-urban differences in health care access vary across measures

Authors

Erika C. Ziller PhD, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow
Jennifer D. Lenardson MHS, University of Southern Maine, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow

Document Type

Policy Brief

Publication Date

1-1-2009

Keywords

MRHRC, Access, health insurance, rural, usual source of care, travel time

Abstract

Rural uninsured rates are higher than urban,¹ and the uninsured often have difficulty obtaining needed care.² Difficulties recruiting and retaining health care providers have resulted in longstanding disparities in rural and urban physician supply.³ This combination of factors suggests that rural residents may face greater barriers to accessing health care than their urban counterparts. Analyses of data from the 2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) for non-elderly rural and urban residents partly supports this premise, yet rural residents fare better on some measures of access.

Funding Organization

Supported by the federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Grant Number

CA#U1CRH03716

Recommended Citation

Ziller, E., & Lenardson, J. (2009). Rural-urban differences in health care access vary across measures. (Research & Policy Brief). Portland, ME: University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research Center.