Uninsured under TennCare: a case study of public health clinic users.
BACKGROUND
We characterized public health clinic users 4 years after implementation of a major public health insurance reform and identified barriers to health care access.


METHODS
We used face-to-face interviews and profile analysis of survey findings.


RESULTS
The typical public health client household is larger, poorer, and more likely to be black than the wider population. The health status of participants is generally good; the level of insurance coverage is preponderantly TennCare; and 90% of respondents are willing to pay some premium.


CONCLUSIONS
Lack of health insurance does not present a serious health care access barrier, nor do transportation or location; but taking time off from work with loss of wages is a problem for those employed. A cost-effective way to enroll uninsured children is to use the County Health Department clinics as a contact point.
Rubin
R M
RM
Fogelman College of Business and Economics,  University of Memphis, and Memphis and Shelby County Health Department, Tenn 38111, USA.
Chang
C
C
Stolarick
R
R
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003363:Cost Control; D005249:Fees and Charges; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008484:Medicaid / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013714:Tennessee