Racial/Ethnic Minority Older Adults' Perspectives on Proposed Medicaid Reforms' Effects on Dental Care Access

Am J Public Health. 2017 May;107(S1):S65-S70. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303640. Epub 2017 Jun 22.

Abstract

To examine how proposed Medicaid reform plans are experienced by racial/ethnic minority older adults and what the implications are for their ability to access dental care through Medicaid, from 2013 to 2015 we conducted focus groups in northern Manhattan, New York, New York, among African American, Dominican, and Puerto Rican adults aged 50 years and older. Participants reported problems with affording copayments for care, complicated health and social issues, the need for vision and dental care close to home, and confusion about and stigmatization with Medicaid coverage. Federal, state, and local public health agencies can help by clarifying and simplifying Medicaid plans and sustaining benefits that older adults need to live healthy and dignified lives.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data
  • Dental Care for Aged* / statistics & numerical data
  • Dominican Republic / ethnology
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Health Expenditures
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medicaid / economics*
  • Medicaid / organization & administration*
  • Middle Aged
  • New York City
  • Puerto Rico / ethnology
  • Qualitative Research
  • Social Stigma
  • United States