Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Date of Award

5-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Dr. Margaret Graham

Second Advisor

Dr. Dejun Su

Third Advisor

Dr. Margaret Dorsey

Abstract

The argument this research paper attempts to establish is that undocumented citizens have very little access to healthcare free from barriers that the United States government and healthcare facilities impose on them. The purpose of this thesis was to discover barriers that undocumented citizens encounter when accessing healthcare. Structured interviews were conducted with healthcare providers, administrators, and undocumented citizens in the Rio Grande Valley. Finances were determined by all interviewees to be the largest barrier to accessing healthcare. This issue requires further research and quantitative studies into a topic in healthcare that is scarcely studied and that needs immediate attention because of this group‟s great impact on the country in order to understand the dilemma at hand. Policy makers, hospitals, governments, and the general public need to be challenged to advocate for the right to healthcare access for undocumented citizens living in the United States and the RGV.

Comments

Copyright 2011 Milena A. Melo. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/access-healthcare-undocumented-citizens-rio/docview/875791587/se-2?accountid=7119

Granting Institution

University of Texas-Pan American

Included in

Anthropology Commons

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