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Objective: 
Increase the percentage of persons age 65 and under who have a usual source of health care. 

	NH Baseline 1999	93%5
	US Baseline 1998	86%6
	NH Target 2010	96%

      Health insurance does not guarantee that health care is accessible or affordable. Significant numbers of privately insured persons lack a usual source of primary care or report delays or difficulties in accessing care due to cost-sharing requirements. Those insured through the non-group market often are able to only afford catastrophic coverage that does not include reimbursement for primary and preventive health care services. 
     Having a primary care provider as the usual source of care is especially important. The benefits of primary care include the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who work in partnership with patients and who practice in the context of the family and community. 

Objective:
Increase the percentage of persons age 65 and under who have health insurance.

	NH Baseline 1999	91%5
	US Baseline 1998	86%6
	NH Target 2010	100%

     An important measure of access to health care is the percentage of people who have comprehensive health insurance. Uninsured and underinsured individuals are much less likely to have a primary care provider; to have received appropriate preventive care, such as routine mammograms or Pap tests; or to have had any recent medical visits. Lack of insurance over an extended period increases the risk of chronic illness and premature death.

Objective:
Increase public health capacity to measure health care access and health status indicators in racial and ethnic minority populations.

NH Baseline	NA
US Baseline 2000	10% of the National Healthy People 2010 objectives contain population specific baselines.6
NH Target 2010	Developmental

Healthy New Hampshire 2010 acknowledges the diversity of the state’s population. Data indicate that racial and ethnic minorities make up about 3.5% of New Hampshire’s population, and limited information is available regarding their health status. Currently, assessment of minority health issues in New Hampshire draws upon the experience of individuals in and working with minority populations, and is inferred from national data. Healthy New Hampshire 2010 partners statewide are committed to working together to collect, analyze, and disseminate racial and ethnic population specific data about health care access and health status indicators. This will allow for the development of culturally sensitive public health interventions. 

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