Pediatric sources of primary care can be in the provided in many different practice settings. From the conventional pediatrician’s office or primary care doctor’s offices to rural health clinics, community clinics, health departments, schools, and in some cases emergency departments or urgent care centers. According to Healthy People 2020 from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the target goal for children and youth under the age of 17 is 100% by the year 2020. The data for this population has increased from …show more content…
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) explicitly excludes the purchase of health insurance coverage by undocumented immigrants. In 2010 there were in excess of 11 million undocumented immigrants residing in the United States. Children born in the US to undocumented immigrant parents may comprise a significant group of patients that lack access to adequate health care services. Specific barriers to health care for this population may include language barriers, lack of transportation, and knowledge deficits of the parents for preventive care or normal childhood development, and stressors involved with parental immigration status. Other factors that may impact this group are little or no prenatal care of undocumented mothers. Inadequate prenatal care and fears associated with undocumented status of mothers can have a negative impact on the long-term health of the children (Wallace, et al., …show more content…
Working and living in a rural and underserved area, I have noted that lack of providers is a major aspect of inadequate health care. There are simply not enough providers to the number of population. Access to prenatal care in my area is limited to two offices in the tri-county area. You may see a practitioner for prenatal visits, but you have to travel about one hour in ever direction to deliver your baby. The only other means of childbirth would be small rural hospital emergency rooms that are not well-equipped or trained to handle