Access to Health CareAccess to health care refers to the ease with which an individual can obtain necessary medical services. Many Americans face barriers that make it difficult to access basic health services. These barriers to services include lack of availability, high cost, and lack of insurance coverage. “Limited access to healthcare impacts people’s ability to reach their full potential, which negatively affects their quality of life.” (Access to Health Services, 2014) Access to health services includes four elements which include coverage, services, timeliness and workforceCoverageHealth insurance facilitates entry into the health system. Uninsured people are less likely to receive medical care and are more likely to be in poor health. Many Americans forgo medical care because they can't afford it or have trouble paying medical bills. “Adults in the United States are more likely to go without health care due to cost” (Schoen, Osborn, Squires, Doty, & Pierson, 2010). Many people who are currently uninsured or underinsured are forced to accept substandard plans with significant out-of-pocket costs. or are unable to afford the coverage offered by private health insurers. This lack of adequate coverage makes it difficult for people to access the health care they need and can have a particularly serious impact on a person's health and stability.ServicesImproving health services depends in part on guarantee that people have a usual and continuous source of care. . Not having a usual place to go when sick or in need of health advice delays necessary care, leading to increased risk. People with a usual source of care are more likely to have routine exams and screenings, and are more likely to know where to go for care...... middle of paper . .....n health organizations (JCAHO) and the American Medical Accreditation Program (AMAP), to name a few. Each of the accrediting bodies is unique in terms of their mission, activities, composition of their boards of directors, and organizational history, and each develops its own accreditation process and programs and establishes its own accreditation standards . . “The accreditation of a health care facility or program is a symbol of quality, similar to the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval that tells the public that the organization or program meets certain standards.” (Goode, 2001) Accreditation proves that the healthcare facility has gone through the accreditation process and met all of the necessary requirements to become qualified. Accreditation is generally considered a desirable process for establishing standards and working toward higher quality care..