title: The impact of states' small group health insurance reforms on uninsurance rates.
abstract: The impact of states' small group market reforms on uninsurance rates was examined. Reform status was quantified on five reform dimensions: Access Improvement, Premium Reduction, Premium Differential Reduction, Continuity of Coverage, and Enhancing Valued Plan Features. These reform indices were calculated based on actuarial judgment of the market impact potential of each regulation. Regression analysis showed no association between uninsurance rates and the depth of reforms on any dimension, while controlling for income, foreign-born population, black population, and employment in the smallest businesses. Possible reasons for the lack of impact are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. sxirasar@sc.edu
authors.forename: Sudha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xirasagar
authors.forename: Carleen H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Stoskopf
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hussey
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Samuels
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Shrader
authors.forename: Ruth P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Saunders
mesh_terms: D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D013219:State Government; D014481:United States