Baltimore Safety Net Access-to-Care Survey 2003

This survey was conducted by the Community Health Consortium of Baltimore and OSI-Baltimore's Medicine as a Profession initiative. The goal was to identify the needs and barriers to care of Baltimore residents, along with issues associated with accessing care while without health insurance and enrolling in medical assistance programs. The results were compiled from a survey of 297 Baltimore residents that was conducted during the summer of 2003. All respondents access health care and social services at one of 10 community agencies in Baltimore.

The data suggest that people are falling through the cracks in the current system because of lacking health insurance, gaps in coverage, medical debt, and systems of care that are ill-equipped to address the multiple medical, mental health, and social needs associated with urban poverty. Furthermore, the agencies and organizations that provide assistance are increasingly strained and overwhelmed by the ever-rising demands and needs among the city's poorest residents. Specific recommendations to address these concerns are discussed in the report, which is available in PDF format.