Research

Assessing the Healthcare Needs of Transgender and Non-Transgender Communities Accessing Care in Safety-Net Clinics in Washington State and Washington, D.C.

Assessing the Healthcare Needs of Transgender and Non-Transgender Communities Accessing Care in Safety-Net Clinics in Washington State and Washington, D.C.

A part of the United States’ healthcare system, safety-net systems deliver a significant amount of care to members of vulnerable populations. These populations often face unique challenges in accessing healthcare due to lack of insurance, limited income and marginalization by their race, ethnicity and gender identity. This study aims to understand how these individuals perceive their healthcare support within the current safety-net framework. A qualitative analysis was performed on a single questionnaire item that asked participants to openly state a belief or opinion regarding how safety-net systems in Washington, D.C. and Washington State could better support their healthcare needs. Our findings imply that even with access to healthcare through the safety-net system, patients from low-resourced populations, particularly those who identify as transgender, continue to face significant barriers to achieving adequate healthcare resources and support that could impact health outcomes.