U.S.'s Access to Care Ranked Worse Among 10 Countries, Recent Study Shows

(Graphic courtesy of The Commonwealth Fund)

This essay is part of a series called “Without a Net: Health Outside the System,” penned by our Executive Director, Lynette Sappe-Watkins.

I recently read an article published by The Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that supports independent research on healthcare issues. The report compared health system performance in 10 countries*, including the U.S. While the U.S. ranked number two in “Care Process” (which considers prevention, safety, care coordination, patient engagement and sensitivity to patient preferences), it ranks either 9th or 10th in each of the other four domains: access to care (10th); administrative efficiency (9th); equity (9th); and health outcomes (10th). Sadly, access to care, which is the void Culmore Clinic seeks to fill in our community, is among the domains where the U.S. ranked at the bottom.  

As disappointing as this news is, it is reflective of what I like to refer to as “big healthcare” problems. Simply put, big hospital systems combined with complex insurance requirements, complicate how care is delivered. 

At Culmore Clinic we take pride in offering barrier-free healthcare for our patients, most of whom are our uninsured neighbors in the Bailey’s Crossroads/Seven Corners corridor. Our services come at no cost to our patients. We make every effort to make it easy for them to come for appointments, adhere to medical treatment plans, and earn their trust. 

Our model of care, where volunteer providers are at the core of medical care, makes service delivery less complicated for everyone, providers and patients alike. There are no complicated pre-authorizations and no insurance co-pays. It’s patient care at the purest level. It’s why we often hear our volunteer providers comment, “THIS is why I got into healthcare.”

Lynette Sappe-Watkins

Medical partnerships are equally important to our model of care. We are able to secure specialty care, dental services, radiology services and medications through partnerships. These relationships allow our patients to access services and resources at either no cost, or a fraction of the “self-pay” cost (which we will often absorb on their behalf). In fact, our in-kind services totaled more than $3 million dollars last year. This means the value we receive expands our buying power by 75%.

In today’s changing healthcare landscape, we, and others in the healthcare safety net, are also preparing for the possibility that some in our neighborhood, who currently depend upon Medicaid, may soon need access to Culmore Clinic services. The risk of falling through the cracks created by shifting rules and policies is real, and we want to be prepared to support those who find themselves ineligible for the healthcare they have traditionally counted upon.

As policies shift and access becomes more uncertain, your gifts are more vital than ever. Community financial support ensures that we stand ready to help our patients receive consistent medical care… that their medications are available before they run out… and, that our care comes without a bill. 

Your gifts help ensure we stay open and accessible, especially when other systems fall short. With your help, we can continue to fill prescriptions, offer lab tests, provide preventive screenings, and deliver the kind of dignified, person-centered care that every human being deserves.

Health isn’t a privilege. It’s a human right. Help us protect it with a donation today!

Thank you for being alongside us to support patient care.

* Countries included in the research: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States

Interested in the article I referenced? You’ll find it here.