The Scars of the Erasure_web

Erasure_4a 10.1.11 20:29 Page 178178 THE SCARS OF THE ERASURETable 3: Access to official health care institutionsAccess to official health careinstitutions for uninsured personsNumber of quotedexamplesQuoted examples inpercentages (%)Denied access (to hospital, health carecenter)6 10.52Access on payment 10 17.54Access free of charge 22 38.59- Initially had to pay, but expenses laterwritten off- Using connections (a family member’sdoctor, an acquaintance working for ahealth care institution)2 3.54 7.01- Using another person’s medical card(a family member, a friend)4 7.01- Based on the status of temporaryrefugee from Bosnia-Herzegovina- Treatment provided by Pro BonoOutpatient Clinic- Treatment provided by prison or theCenter for Aliens1 1.754 7.012 3.5- Travelled abroad for treatment 3 5.26- Other 2 3.5Did not seek help from health careinstitutions- For fear of being refused or paying ahigh bill14 24.5610 17,54- Because they did not need it 4 7,01Unknown 5 8,77At first glance, the small percentage of cases of denied access (10.52 percent)and the high percentage of cases in which health care was provided free ofcharge (38.59 percent) do not suggest significant obstacles. However, the fi gureshowing the number of people who sought treatment on a cash basis (17.54 percent)changes the picture. This means that they could afford health care assis-