The US does not have a national health service which is free for everyone like the UK
The majority of Americans have private health insurance. The main insurance companies are Blue Cross and Blue Shield
It will cost $10 000 a year for a family of 4 in New York to get full health and dental care.
The poorest groups cannot afford health insurance and rely on Medicaid (for poor) and Medicare (for elderly). These are funded by the government.
Hospitals which are funded by the government do not get enough money so waiting lists are long and they have staff shortages.
As a result of being uninsured you will not get routine checks and will only be treated when you are seriously ill.
Black life expectancy is 5 years less than that for whites.
The infant mortality rates for Blacks is 2.5 times that for Whites
18. Percentage of Ethnic groups covered by Medicaid
