Edward Davis knows a thing or two about healthcare needs; the 58-year-old Syracuse resident has been living with HIV and AIDS for 14 years. He also deals with a host of other medical issues, from dental work to foot problems.

In January 2009 Davis lost his job. By law, his former employer was required to put him on a stopgap COBRA health coverage plan for at least 18 months. Davis says he likes the options afforded him by the COBRA coverage, especially the ability to see the doctors and dentist he prefers.

But Davis says his COBRA coverage will expire this summer. At that point, he will join millions of other people in the public health option for the poorest of Americans: Medicaid.

While Medicaid provides for all of a subscriber’s health essentials, it can be difficult to find a private practice physician or specialist who accepts the coverage. In fact, as the number of people applying for Medicaid increases with the rise in unemployment, the number of practices accepting Medicaid patients is dropping.

The issue is partly a financial problem, although some experts believe social dynamics, including race and economic backgrounds, may also play a role.