Minding the Gap: The U.S. Healthcare Safety Net

The right to access affordable, quality health care in the US is not guaranteed. During our nation’s history, a patchwork quilt of programs, referred to collectively as the safety net, has been crafted to address health care needs for a wide range of people who fall through the cracks. This course examines its structure, function, and effects. We introduce key features of the safety net: access, cost, quality, and outcomes. We pay particular attention to the nation’s largest program, Medicaid. We highlight the unique challenges facing vulnerable groups: legal and illegal immigrants, homeless populations, veterans, and people with disabilities.