This paper examines issues concerning access to health care for persons with disabilities, specifically the health status of the disabled, utilization and cost of services, and a comparison of health insurance coverage of persons with and without disabilities. Three age groups (children, working-age adults, and the elderly) are considered. Data were obtained from the Topical Module on Disability from the 1984 Survey of Income and Program Participation, a longitudinal survey of a nationally representative sample (N=20,000) of the civilian non-institutionalized population. Disability is defined in terms of six levels of functional disability and incidence figures (e.g., 1.7% for the most severe level) provided. Also provided are data on age and disability (e.g., 58.8% of the elderly are disabled). Additional findings addressing causes of disability, health status and utilization, and health insurance coverage are presented separately for working age adults, the elderly, and children. Finally, figures on usual sources of care and expenditures and actual medical expenditures are given. Among conclusions are that persons with disabilities experience a different health care experience; that there are few real differences in health insurance between the disabled and nondisabled; but that most nonelderly disabled persons receive a mix of private and public coverage. Includes six references. (DB)