Abstract

Healthcare access today persists as a relevant topic in American discourse. Despite the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act since 2010, many residing in the U.S. remain either locked out from procuring health insurance or limited in their ability to access other forms of medical care, an issue that afflicts marginalized communities especially. Through qualitative analysis of interviews, this study focuses on low-cost health clinics that fill needs left by this inadequacy, specifically the care they provide for underserved, native Spanish- speaking patients. In large part, the context of this relationship denotes that care is provided under the view that healthcare is a human right. This study utilizes one such clinic in rural Ohio to explore the following: How do clinical workers and Spanish-speaking patients understand the clinic’s role? How is this exemplified in the administering of care? What issues arise during this process, and how are they navigated? What role does the idea of a right to healthcare play in this process? Following a review on literature relevant to the subject, I draw upon the concepts of structural violence and pragmatic solidarity, humanitarian reason, the medical gaze, and a hybrid understanding of the theory of structure. By hearing perspectives of those involved from different positions in care provisioning, I identify prevalent themes: these include barriers to access, a firm and shared understanding of the clinic’s limitations, the clinical orientations that arise in individuals as a result, and the desire for clinics to become even more accessible.

Advisor

Tierney, Thomas

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

Disciplines

Medicine and Health | Other Anthropology | Social and Cultural Anthropology

Publication Date

2022

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

Download

Share

COinS
 

© Copyright 2022 Nicholas J. Harling