The Five Pillars of Healthcare Access

Access to healthcare is a complex issue. We can understand it better by looking at five key pillars. Click each tab below to explore the data-driven challenges facing Catoosa County, GA in each area.

Insurance Workforce & Availability Utilization & Timeliness Affordability Local Investment

Pillar I: Health Insurance Coverage

Insurance is the primary gateway to care. The data reveals a mixed landscape of high uninsured rates in key demographics alongside significant reliance on public programs.

15% Uninsured Adults

16.1% Total Medicaid Population

40.3% Child Medicaid (CHIP)

8.9% Seniors on Medicaid

Pillar II: Workforce & Availability

Because of Catoosa County's proximity to Chattanooga, local provider numbers appear critically low as the workforce is concentrated across the state line.

1760:1 Population per PCP

3 Practicing Pediatricians

Low Access Access to Maternity Care

1 Local Hospital(s)

4 FQHCs

0 Rural Health Clinic

n/a - new hospital% Local Hospital Operating Margin

Pillar III: Utilization & Timeliness

Access is also measured by whether residents use the system for preventive care in a timely manner. Key indicators suggest that care is often delayed until it becomes a crisis.

n/a mins Average ER Wait Time

2191 Preventable Hospital Stays per 100k on Medicare

Pillar IV: Affordability

Beyond insurance premiums, the actual cost of care can be a significant barrier. This is especially true in a community facing economic headwinds.

588 Projected Premium Change in ACA Marketplace

15% GA Adults Who Avoided Care Due to Cost (Proxy)

The expected increase in ACA premiums puts further strain on household budgets. Furthermore, because Catoosa County residents often cross state lines for treatment, they can frequently encounter out-of-network costs and complex insurance billing issues that further reduce affordability.

Pillar V: Local Investment

This pillar tracks investments in community health, new programs, and infrastructure upgrades. Notably, Catoosa County has been a pioneer in rural access by establishing a successful School-Based Health Center.

1 Health Department

TBD Federal Health Grant Funding or Contracts

$35 State Public Health Dollars

TBD Local public health $ per capita

1 School-based health center or linked health clinic

Recommendations for Action

Based on the five pillars of access, here are four strategic recommendations to improve healthcare outcomes in Catoosa County.

1. Driving Policy Change for Cross-State Care

Provide policy analysis and encourage advocacy focusing on multi-state network coverage. Because Catoosa residents heavily rely on the Chattanooga, TN hospital systems, seamless cross-border insurance policies are critical.

2. Increase Support for Community Health Workers

With an uninsured adult rate nearing 19.6% and expected increases in ACA premiums, funding community health workers can help residents connect to the few localized resources they need to access preventative care.

3. Expand School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs)

Catoosa County already has a successful SBHC model functioning at Tiger Creek Elementary. Expanding this model to other rural schools in the county can provide immediate, preventative, and specialized pediatric care to children without requiring families to travel into Tennessee.

4. Strengthen the Local Safety-Net Infrastructure

With only 1 FQHC and 1 Health Department serving the area, advocating for increased county and state-level public health dollars is critical. This funding can expand hours, services, and outreach programs for the existing safety-net providers that serve vulnerable populations.