Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Health Care: Can Health Plans Generate Reports?

Abstract

A large and growing literature documents disparities in health status, access to care, and quality of care among racial/ethnic groups in the United States.1 Some analyses find that lack of insurance coverage is an important barrier to getting good care.2 If this were the only significant factor, disparities could be reduced or eliminated by policy initiatives that expanded insurance coverage. There is ample evidence, though, of disparities in quality of care among persons who are insured and among persons with the same type of insurance or in the same health plan.3 Interventions aimed at improving quality of care for members of racial/ethnic minority groups are necessary to reduce these disparities.