By comparing the two systems, we may begin to know to what extent the use of medical care is affected by nonfinancial barriers, such as the belief in holistic medicine. The goal of this research is to analyze the factors that influence medical care use by Asian ethnic minorities both in the United States and Britain. Language is the most important access barrier to care in both the United States and the United Kingdom, even when interpreting services are offered. Even when there is access to interpreting services in the National Health Service, doctors are not using it as much as patients require. Inducing physicians to use such services is a key issue.
Language acts as a barrier to existing health insurance programs in the United States as well.
Experiences with focus groups and surveys in Houston, Texas, demonstrate that language limits ability to understand eligibility requirements and forms to obtain benefits. The dominant culture determines the style of medicine which is financed and delivered. Consideration of financing for alternative medicine should at least be considered in policy forums, given its importance to significant segments of minority populations. Sensitivity to this issue already exists in the private insurance market in the United States. Incorporating some high-technology communication devices such as video and teleconferencing will enhance availability of interpreting services for people in rural areas or cities which do not have such services readily available.