A new survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Los Angeles Times reveals significant disparities in health care access and experiences among immigrants in the United States. The 2023 KFF/LA Times Survey of Immigrants, the largest nongovernmental survey of its kind, provides a nuanced look at the diversity within the immigrant population, which makes up 16% of adults in the U.S.
The survey found that while most immigrant adults report having health insurance coverage (84%) and a health care visit in the past year (77%), only about half (48%) of uninsured immigrant adults had a visit. Hispanic and Black immigrants, those likely to be undocumented, and those with limited English proficiency were less likely to have sought health care since arriving in the U.S. and less likely to report receiving care in the past year.
“This survey allows us to better understand the varied experiences of immigrants in our health care system,” said KFF President and CEO Drew Altman. “It highlights the need for policies that address the unique barriers faced by different immigrant groups.”
The findings underscore the importance of considering the diversity within the immigrant population when discussing health care policy. Policymakers and health care providers must work to address these disparities and ensure equitable access to care for all immigrants, regardless of their background or circumstances.
See “Health and Health Care Experiences of Immigrants: The 2023 KFF/LA Times Survey of Immigrants” (September 17, 2023)
