Correlates of health insurance coverage: evidence from the Midwest.
The Midwest is often overlooked in national studies of health insurance status. We analyzed the economic and social characteristics of uninsured and underinsured individuals and households in a Midwestern state using both bivariate and multivariate techniques. As in much of the country, economic factors, particularly income and employment, were most significant in accounting for insurance coverage. Unexpectedly, rural and urban residents were equally likely to lack insurance. Results indicate that in rural areas, underinsurance may be a greater problem than uninsurance, and that income-based health insurance is more effective than employer-provided plans in reaching all Americans.
Comer
J
J
Department of Political Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68588.
Mueller
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009329:Nebraska; D012111:Residence Characteristics