How Does Health Coverage and Access to Care for Immigrants Vary by Length of Time in the U.S.?

Kaiser Family Foundation Report
June 9, 2009
Peter J. Cunningham, Samantha Artiga

While, overall, immigrants have a high uninsured rate and face greater access barriers relative to U.S.-born residents, many immigrants eventually gain health insurance and improved access to health care as they acquire language and job skills, improve their economic standing and become more familiar with the U.S. health care system, according to a study released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). The research, conducted by HSC Senior Fellow Peter J. Cunningham, Ph.D., and KFF Senior Policy Analyst Samantha Artiga, examines how health coverage and access to care for nonelderly adults vary based on immigrants' length of time in the U.S. and between immigrants, second-generation Americans and third-generation and higher Americans. The study also identifies the primary factors contributing to lower health coverage rates and greater access barriers among immigrants.

This article is available at the Kaiser Family Foundation Web site by clicking here.