The enigma of higher income immigrants with lower rates of health insurance coverage in the United States.
This research compares rates of health insurance coverage among middle-class non-elderly immigrants to native-born American adults using data from the March 1996-2000 Supplements to the Current Population Survey. Probit regressions reveal that immigrants were three times as likely to be uninsured at income levels exceeding $50,000, controlling for economic, demographic and immigrant-related characteristics. Work-related characteristics, income, martial status and nativity considerably influenced health insurance status for all adults, but work-related factors had the strongest effect on immigrants' rates of coverage. Why, ceteris paribus, immigrants have lower coverage rates is unclear. Many low-income and recent immigrants face barriers to access due to legal status or job sector. But lower rates of health insurance coverage which persist among long-time residents at higher income levels cannot be explained by such barriers, a finding highly relevant for policy makers. Encouraging uninsured immigrants to opt into health plans voluntarily will remain a challenge.
Bass
Elizabeth
E
James A. Haley VAMC, VISN 8 Patient Safety Center of Inquiry, 11605 North Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA. elizabeth.bass@med.va.gov
D000328:Adult; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States