Why employer-sponsored insurance coverage changed, 1997-2003.
Four and a half million Americans gained employer-sponsored health insurance coverage during 1997-2001, while nearly nine million lost coverage in the ensuing economic downturn (2001-2003), after population growth was accounted for. Macroeconomic trends affecting employment, job quality, and incomes drove most of the coverage changes, although key factors varied during the two periods. Take-up rates affected coverage, mostly reflecting the interaction of premium cost trends and labor-market tightness, but take-up also was influenced by the implementation of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) during 1997-2001. Coverage among low-income people was most affected by economic conditions and premium costs.
Reschovsky
James D
JD
Center for Studying Health System Change, Washington, DC, USA. jreschovsky@hschange.org
Strunk
Bradley C
BC
Ginsburg
Paul
P