Access to Health Care

Access to Health Care

This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC – safer, healthier people.

The number of people in the U.S. without health insurance is increasing. About 50 million American adults had no health care insurance for at least some of the last year. All income brackets have been affected, including nearly 10 million adults in middle-income households and 12 million adults living in poverty.

Not having insurance—even for part of a year— matters. Adults without regular health insurance tend to skip needed medical care because of costs. Doing so can lead to poorer health, higher long-term health care costs, and even early death.

For many, the Affordable Care Act will provide new health insurance options to help ensure they have access to the care they need.

For the most accurate health information, visit www.cdc.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO, 24/7.