Racial/ethnic differences in children's access to care

Objectives. This study explored reasons for racial and ethnic differences in children's usual sources of care. Methods. Data from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey were examined by means of logistic regression techniques. Results. Black and Hispanic children were substantially less likely than White children to have a usual source of care. These differences persisted after control for health insurance and socioeconomic status. Control for language ability, however, eliminated differences between Hispanic and White children. Conclusions. Results suggest that the marked Hispanic disadvantage in children's access to care noted in earlier studies may be related to language ability.