Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Utilization of Preventive Services and Barriers to Care among MN Health Care Program Enrollees
McAlpine, D. and K. T. Call. 2004. “Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Utilization of Preventive Services and Barriers to Care among Minnesota Health Care Program Enrollees.” MetroDoctors 6(6): 11.
Publication
Monitoring the Uninsured: A State Policy Perspective
Blewett, L. A., M. B. Good, K. T. Call, and M. Davern. 2004. “Monitoring the Uninsured: A State Policy Perspective.” Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law 29(1): 107-145.
Because states have primary responsibility for the implementation of public health insurance programs, states need timely, good quality data to evaluate programs, monitor trends in the number and characteristics of the uninsured, and better understand the dynamics of health insurance coverage. This article provides a synthesis of the data sources available to states for monitoring rates of health insurance coverage. Information was collected through a comprehensive review of state and national health surveys and in-depth interviews with state analysts in all fifty states. Our findings suggest that national surveys do not meet states' needs for data, and in response, states have initiated their own household surveys. We provide information on thirty-six household surveys that are used to estimate state levels of health insurance coverage. We recommend that national and state efforts be better coordinated to facilitate efficient use of resources to achieve good state-level date.
Publication
Inpatient Hospital Utilization among the Uninsured Near Elderly: Data and Policy Implications for West Virginia
Spencer, D. L., S. Richardson, and M. McCormick. 2007. "Inpatient Hospital Utilization among the Uninsured Near Elderly: Data and Policy Implications for West Virginia." Health Services Research 42(6, part II): 2442-2457.
OBJECTIVE: To inform state policy discussions about the insurance coverage of the near elderly in West Virginia (WV) and the impact of the uninsured near elderly on hospitals in the state. DATA SOURCES: 2003 West Virginia Uniform Bill (UB) hospital discharge data. The data represent all adult inpatient discharges in the state during the year. STUDY DESIGN: We compare the near elderly with other adults and examine differences by insurance status. Key variables include volume of discharges, health insurance coverage, patient characteristics, and charges incurred. FINDINGS: The near elderly constitute the largest group of nonelderly adult inpatient hospital discharges. They are more likely than younger adults to be admitted for emergency conditions; have comorbidities and complications; have longer hospital stays; and incur higher charges on average. Although the near elderly are least likely to be uninsured, they represent the second largest group of uninsured discharges and incur the most in uninsured charges. CONCLUSIONS: The specific needs of the near elderly warrant consideration in WV's (and other states') ongoing development and evaluation of policies aimed at reducing uncompensated care costs, including programs to expand access to health insurance and primary and mental health care among the uninsured.
Publication
Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Care Among Rural and Urban Minnesotans
Call, K. T., and J. Ziegenfuss. 2007. “Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Care Among Rural and Urban Minnesotans.” Rural Minnesota Journal 2(1):11-36.
Publication
Options for Small Employer Health Insurance in Missouri
This report addresses small employer health insurance options for the state of Missouri. It outlines the key attributes, respective benefits and challenges of both purchasing pools and reinsurance, provides examples of state initiatives that combine purchasing pools and reinsurance to better meet the needs of uninsured employees of small firms, and describes selected states’ experiences with state employee pool buy-ins. March 2006.