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Healthcare Disparities: Low-Income Patients Face Longer Waits

4/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Research highlights disparities in healthcare access and waiting times by income, with low-income individuals waiting 13.6 hours annually versus 7.5 hours for high-income individuals.
Medicaid patients wait longer than those with private insurance.
Auyero's studies describe waiting as governance, a form of "slow violence" that teaches the poor their place and accumulates, denying access and worsening health inequities.

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Story summary

Research highlights disparities in healthcare access and waiting times by income, with low-income individuals waiting 13.6 hours annually versus 7.5 hours for high-income individuals.
Medicaid patients wait longer than those with private insurance.
Auyero's studies describe waiting as governance, a form of "slow violence" that teaches the poor their place and accumulates, denying access and worsening health inequities.