Objective: To evaluate equity concerns in routine and preventive health care utilization. Methods: Data from the MEPS's Household Component (2004), a nationally representative survey of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population, was used. Equity was defined on the principle of equal treatment for equal need. Need variables controlled in the model were perceived health status, presence of illness, comorbidities, activities and instrumental activities of daily living limitations. Non-need variables assessed for presence of horizontal equity were age, gender, race, ethnicity, income, and education. Need variables were studied to confirm presence of vertical equity, which was defined as different levels of need variables consuming appropriate different levels of healthcare. Equity in routine health care utilization namely- expenditures on Emergency room(ER), Inpatient hospitalization(IPH), Outpatient care(OPT), Office-based care(OFB), Dental care(DENTAL), and Prescription drugs(RX) were analyzed by GLM with log-link and Gamma/Poisson families. Binary measures of dental check-up, cholesterol check-up, blood-pressure check-up, and flu-shots, as indicators of preventive health care utilization, were analyzed by logistic and skewed-logistic models. Results: Horizontal inequity was observed by age, gender, and income in all routine care variables except ER. Inequity by education was observed in OFB, DENTAL, and RX. Race related inequity was observed in OFB, IPH, DENTAL, and RX. Inequity by ethnicity was observed in utilization of all routine care variables. Necessary condition for vertical equity was not satisfied only in ER and DENTAL utilization. Horizontal inequity was observed in all four preventive care variables by age, gender, ethnicity, income, and education. Horizontal inequity by race was observed in cholesterol check-up, blood pressure check-up, and receipt of flu shots. Evidence of vertical equity was not observed in preventive care utilization. Conclusion: Horizontal inequity in age, gender, race, ethnicity, income, education and the lack of vertical equity in preventive care may be an indication of sub-optimal resource allocation in the US population.