Discrimination hampers U.S. refugees' ability to obtain needed medical care

Newcomers to the United States enter through a structured resettlement program that includes pre-arrival health checks and eligibility for health coverage for up to eight months. Yet a national voluntary survey reveals that roughly half of refugees encounter at least one hurdle to receiving medical care. Scholars examined responses from about 4,500 refugees surveyed between 2020 and 2022 and discovered that 66% of those who reported discrimination in daily life also reported healthcare barriers, versus 39% of those who did not report discrimination.

This gap remained even after adjusting for health status, English proficiency, financial strain, education, employment, insurance and length of residence, suggesting that perceived unfair treatment outweighs traditional obstacles. The pattern is especially pronounced for Black and Middle Eastern or North African women, who face nearly double the difficulties. These findings echo earlier studies linking biased treatment in clinics to reduced trust and delayed or forgone care among immigrant populations.