title: Mexican immigrants' attitudes and interest in health insurance: a qualitative descriptive study.
abstract: Mexican immigrants to the U.S. are nearly three times more likely to be without health insurance than non-Hispanic native citizens. To inform strategies to increase the number of insured within this population, we elicited immigrants' understanding of health insurance and preferences for coverage. Nine focus groups with Mexican immigrants were conducted across the State of North Carolina. Qualitative, descriptive methods were used to assess people's understanding of health insurance, identify their perceived need for health insurance, describe perceived barriers to obtaining coverage, and prioritize the components of insurance that immigrants value most. Individuals have a basic understanding of health insurance and perceive it as necessary. Participants most valued insurance that would cover emergencies, make care affordable, and protect family members. Barriers to obtaining insurance included cost, concerns about immigration status discovery, and communication issues. Strategies that address immigrants' preferences for and barriers to insurance should be considered.
authors: School of Medicine, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors: Carolyn M
authors: CM
authors: Ziemer
authors: Sylvia
authors: S
authors: Becker-Dreps
authors: Donald E
authors: DE
authors: Pathman
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Mihas
authors: Pamela
authors: P
authors: Frasier
authors: Melida
authors: M
authors: Colindres
authors: Milton
authors: M
authors: Butterworth
authors: Scott S
authors: SS
authors: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008800:Mexico / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014481:United States