It s important they understand practices in rural Mexico are very different from here. The survey states that because most agricultural workers are foreign-born, do not speak or read English, live in poverty and are undocumented, no other group of workers in America faces greater barriers in accessing basic health services. But they re wage earners who told us they d be willing to pay a percentage for services. Nobody s asking for a handout, just something affordable. We need to do more for them.
Language is a major barrier to access.
About 18 percent of those who said they had visited a doctor or clinic visit went to Mexico for that care. Fear of deportation also is a barrier. Money is a barrier because employers are not required to provide health insurance, and the few that do also require premiums or co-payments that workers can t afford. Money clearly is a barrier to good nutrition as well. Too many fried foods.