title: Have small-group health insurance purchasing alliances increased coverage?
abstract: We use data from 1993 and 1997 employer surveys to assess whether the three largest statewide small-group health insurance purchasing alliances--in California, Connecticut, and Florida--increased coverage in small business. They did not. Specifically, they did not reduce small-group market health insurance premiums, and they did not raise small-business health insurance offer rates. We explore and discuss some reasons why. Alliances do permit employers to offer much greater choice in the number and types of plans; employees are found to take advantage of this wider choice.
authors.affiliation: RAND's Washington Office, USA.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Marquis
mesh_terms: D002140:California; D003256:Community Participation / Q000191:economics*; D003237:Connecticut; D003363:Cost Control; D003625:Data Collection; D005249:Fees and Charges; D005431:Florida; D017754:Group Purchasing / Q000191:economics*; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006265:Health Care Coalitions; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000639:trends*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D017149:Private Sector; D017150:Public Sector