VCCC Promotes Access to Care

Ensuring access to health care providers is an important way to improve public health outcomes for residents in California. In particular, vital health care services can be prohibitively expensive without health insurance. While the uninsured rate has fallen in recent years, it remains unevenly distributed across the United States, and within California as well. Even when California residents do have health insurance coverage, residents with limited funds, mobility issues, or lack of transportation options still may not be able to get the care they need.

“Access to comprehensive, quality health care services is important for promoting and maintaining health, preventing and managing disease, reducing unnecessary disability and premature death, and achieving health equity for all Americans. Gaining entry into the health care system, accessing a location where care is provided, and finding a health care provider who you trust and can communicate are essential to your health and well-being."

- California Department of Public Health

"The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine  define access to health care as the “timely use of personal health services to achieve the best possible health outcomes.”Many people face barriers that prevent or limit access to needed health care services, which may increase the risk of poor health outcomes and health disparities."

-Healthy People 2020