Dr. Lynn Blewett

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Well, a lot of times people start with health insurance coverage and that this is like the mechanism to get you in to see a doctor if you have health insurance coverage. And then you, so sometimes when people talk about access to care, they're talking about access to health insurance coverage.

Well, a lot of times people start with health insurance coverage and that this is like the mechanism to get you in to see a doctor if you have health insurance coverage. And then you, so sometimes when people talk about access to care, they're talking about access to health insurance coverage.

And that's where we spend a lot of time in terms of using survey data and information to understand who's covered and by what type of health insurance and then who's not covered. And that's kind of the vehicle to get access. What you really care about is that people have access to a healthcare provider to get the care that they need.

And that's where we spend a lot of time in terms of using survey data and information to understand who's covered and by what type of health insurance and then who's not covered. And that's kind of the vehicle to get access. What you really care about is that people have access to a healthcare provider to get the care that they need.

But usually, you know, I would say most people will start like, do you have health insurance coverage and what kind of health insurance coverage? And then who's in your network and who can you, you know, who do you have access to see when you need care?

But usually, you know, I would say most people will start like, do you have health insurance coverage and what kind of health insurance coverage? And then who's in your network and who can you, you know, who do you have access to see when you need care?

Yes.

Yes.

Yeah, and maybe I'll just preface to say that we have one of the more complicated health care systems in the world.

Yeah, and maybe I'll just preface to say that we have one of the more complicated health care systems in the world.

That most, you know, most countries do provide universal access through different mechanisms. But we have kind of a patchwork of insurance and most people in this country don't. get their health insurance, especially under age 65, get their health insurance through their employer. So about 50% of people get coverage through their employer.

That most, you know, most countries do provide universal access through different mechanisms. But we have kind of a patchwork of insurance and most people in this country don't. get their health insurance, especially under age 65, get their health insurance through their employer. So about 50% of people get coverage through their employer.

And then you have your kind of supplemental coverage, which is Medicare, Medicaid. And then for those people who are working, but don't have access to employer sponsored insurance. So that could be like artists or self-employed people, or, you know, people who work on their own. They have access to what's called direct purchase.

And then you have your kind of supplemental coverage, which is Medicare, Medicaid. And then for those people who are working, but don't have access to employer sponsored insurance. So that could be like artists or self-employed people, or, you know, people who work on their own. They have access to what's called direct purchase.

So that's just if you called up Blue Cross Blue Shield and said, I need a health insurance plan, what do you have to offer? So that's kind of the overview. And then, of course, we have the Veterans Administration's Indian Health Service, the military, TRICARE. And those are also important components, but probably less, not as many people. So-

So that's just if you called up Blue Cross Blue Shield and said, I need a health insurance plan, what do you have to offer? So that's kind of the overview. And then, of course, we have the Veterans Administration's Indian Health Service, the military, TRICARE. And those are also important components, but probably less, not as many people. So-

Yes, I would say the elderly and probably the disabled, the elderly and disabled. And many of those people, especially if they're poor, will be on either Medicare or Medicaid if they're poor. And those are where the high cost, high expense people are. And the public does provide public programs for their needs, Medicare and then Medicaid.

Yes, I would say the elderly and probably the disabled, the elderly and disabled. And many of those people, especially if they're poor, will be on either Medicare or Medicaid if they're poor. And those are where the high cost, high expense people are. And the public does provide public programs for their needs, Medicare and then Medicaid.