HEALTHCARE IN THE UNITED STATES

SPECIAL POPULATIONS

Table 7.1: Can You Spot Someone with a

Disability?

Which of the following disabilities can you visually identify in a person? Which disabilities are less apparent?

cerebral palsy

visual deficit

hearing deficit Down syndrome

speech impediment autism

arthritis

depression

diabetes HIV/AIDS

asthma

epilepsy

Source: Original Work

Attribution: Deanna Howe

License: CC BY-SA 4.0

The benefits of Social Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) assist adults who have disabilities to meet the needs of housing, food, and medical care. In addition, Medicare coverage is available for those under the age of 65 with some disability conditions such as end-stage kidney disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Forty-five states offer a buy-in Medicaid program for those ineligible for Medicaid through SSI eligibility (NCD, 2017).

Access to quality healthcare remains an issue for adults with disabilities. Figure 7.7 notes disability and health access barriers of adults with disabilities. According to the CDC (2019d), people with disabilities face many barriers and have poorer overall health; have less access to adequate healthcare; and engage in risky health behaviors, such as smoking and physical inactivity.

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