Access to Care

What are the Facts and What Can Be Done About the Uninsured

April 2, 2007

Nearly one in five individuals in California do not have health insurance coverage, noted Davina Ling, director of the Center for the Study of the Economics of Aging and Health. Among those without insurance are 12.5 percent of the state’s children; one out of three uninsured children did not receive any medical care in 2003.

“Uninsured individuals are far less likely than those who are insured to have access to medical services and medical attention,” said the assistant professor of economics, “and that translates into a tremendous cost in lost wages and productivity, as well as the health and well-being of the citizens of our state.”

On April 4, panelists will address “Access to Care and Health of the Underserved: What are the Facts? What Can We Do About It?” during a 1 to 2:30 p.m. discussion and question and answer session sponsored by the Center for the Study of Economics of Aging and Health. The luncheon presentation will be held in the Ontiveros Room of the Titan Student Union.

Among the speakers: Isaac Voss of World Impact Inc., a Los Angeles-based missions organization; Lisa Levsen of Los Angeles Mission Community Clinic; John Bock, CSUF associate professor of anthropology; and a representative of the Orange County Health Care Agency. Ling will serve as moderator.

For more information, e-mail Ling at dling@fullerton.edu.