title: Rescued by the safety net.
abstract: The recent recession had a significant impact on the nation and Minnesota both in terms of the number of jobs lost and the loss of employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI). In this article, we present national and Minnesota-specific data on the loss of ESI. We also explore how government-sponsored programs provided a safety net that enabled many people with low incomes to retain health insurance coverage, lessening the recession's impact in Minnesota. We conclude with general comments about the role of the safety net in a health care system in which the majority of people have health care coverage through voluntary employer-based programs.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, School of Pulic Health, Division of Health Policy and Management, USA.
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gonzales
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dahlen
authors.forename: Lynn A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Blewett
mesh_terms: D057171:American Recovery and Reinvestment Act / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends; D057172:Economic Recession; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006078:Government Programs / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D008483:Medical Assistance / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D008910:Minnesota; D014481:United States