Access to Health Care Services for Adults in Maine [Report]

On October 17, 2016, the Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF) released a new research brief developed with the University of Southern Maine that found significant inequality in the ability of people in Maine to access quality health care. The authors, Barbara Leonard from MeHAF and Erika Ziller from the USM Muskie School, found that income, age and education are all closely associated with Maine people’s ability to receive appropriate and timely health care. Specifically, they found that among Maine adults 18 and older, those with family incomes less than $25,000 a year, young adults, racial and ethnic minorities, and people with less education are much more likely to: Delay seeking health care even when sick; Be unable to afford prescription medication; Lack access to preventative check-ups and screenings or have a regular health care provider. In addition, their analysis also found that Maine people, of all income groups, have reported difficulties in paying medical costs