State Reform Survey Item Matrix (SRSIM)

What is the State Reform Survey Item Matrix?
The State Reform Survey Item Matrix (SRSIM) builds on activities of the State Reform Survey Workgroup. This group, composed of state analysts from across the country, established metrics for monitoring ACA progress in state surveys.¹  Use of the SRSIM may create greater uniformity across state survey instruments, allowing comparisons outside the use of federal or foundation data. 

The SRSIM Excel file has sort and filter functions that allow users to search for questions from existing surveys within a number of essential domains identified by the Workgroup, enables comparison of survey metrics between state and national surveys, and helps inform decisions around metrics to include in future surveys.

What's in the SRSIM?
The SRSIM Excel file contains metrics and question items from:

• - States participating in the State Reform Survey Workgroup
• - States that conduct regular household surveys
• - Over 20 states and one territory
• - Three federal or foundation surveys that regularly report health insurance and access data:
  • - Current Population Survey (CPS)—commonly relied upon for state level estimates
  • - Commonwealth Fund survey 
  • - National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)—contains reform relevant items identified by the Workgroup 

Related Resource: MESIM
The Marketplace Enrollee Survey Item Matrix (MESIM) compiles question items specifically related to health insurance Marketplace participation under the ACA. Questions are drawn from state, federal and private surveys across the country and can be found here.

Suggested Citation
State Health Access Data Assistance Center. 2013. "State Reform Survey Item Matrix (SRSIM)." Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota.

¹2011 report at http://www.shadac.org/publications/shadac-state-reform-survey-workgroup-report. The SRSIM organizes and expands upon the health reform questions identified in the 2011 report.