Population Health Challenges for Latinos in the United States

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter provides an overview of recent natural experiments, demonstrating the effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) on health-care disparities for Latino adults and youth. In brief, the ACA has had positive impacts on health-care access and utilization for Latinos, but disparities persist. Moreover, inequities in access to care are more pervasive for Mexicans and Central Americans, particularly for those who are noncitizens and live in states that have not expanded Medicaid as part of the ACA. Current policy dilemmas are discussed including the growth of Latino populations in states that have not expanded Medicaid and recent anti-immigrant rhetoric and border enforcement.