title: Policy Changes and Improvements in Health Insurance Coverage Among MSM: 20 U.S. Cities, 2008-2014.
abstract: Recent policy changes have improved the ability of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) to secure health insurance. We wanted to assess changes over time in self-reported health insurance status among MSM participating in CDC's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) in 2008, 2011, and 2014. We analyzed NHBS data from sexually active MSM interviewed at venues in 20 U.S. cities. To determine if interview year was associated with health insurance status, we used a Poisson model with robust standard errors. Among included MSM, the overall percentage of MSM with health insurance rose 16 % from 2008 (68 %) to 2014 (79 %) (p value for trend < 0.001). The change in coverage over time was greatest in key demographic segments with lower health insurance coverage all three interview years, by age, education, and income. Corresponding with recent policy changes, health insurance improved among MSM participating in NHBS, with greater improvements in historically underinsured demographic segments. Despite these increases, improved coverage is still needed. Improved access to health insurance could lead to a reduction in health disparities among MSM over time.
authors: Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS-E46, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA. LCooley@cdc.gov.
authors: Laura A
authors: LA
authors: Cooley
authors: Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS-E46, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
authors: Brooke
authors: B
authors: Hoots
authors: Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS-E46, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
authors: Cyprian
authors: C
authors: Wejnert
authors: Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS-E46, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
authors: Rashunda
authors: R
authors: Lewis
authors: Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS-E46, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
authors: Gabriela
authors: G
authors: Paz-Bailey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002947:Cities; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006291:Health Policy; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006306:Health Surveys; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000639:trends*; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking
keywords: Health disparities; Health insurance; Men who have sex with men