Call, K. T., G. Davidson, A. S. Sommers, R. Feldman, P. Farseth, and T. Rockwood. 2001. “Uncovering the Missing Medicaid Cases and Assessing Their Bias for Estimates of the Uninsured.” Inquiry 38 (4): 396-408.

General population surveys of health insurance coverage are thought to undercount Medicaid enrollment, which may bias estimates of the uninsured. This article describes the results of an experiment undertaken in conjunction with a general population survey in Minnesota. Responses to health insurance questions by a known sample of public program enrollees are analyzed to determine possible reasons for the undercount and the amount of bias introduced in estimates of uninsured people. While public program enrollees often misreport the type of coverage they have, the impact on estimates of those without insurance is negligible. Restrictions to generalizing the finding beyond this study are discussed.

Kelly, A., K. T. Call, B. Staub, B. Donald, C. L. Wisner, A. F. Nelson, and R. W. Blum. 2002. “Children with Complex Chronic Medical Conditions and Special Needs Privately Insured through an HMO.” Families, Systems, and Health 20 (3): 279-289.

Examines the managed care services provided to children with complex chronic medical conditions and special needs in the U.S. Perspectives of families on care and service delivery; Information on the cost for hospitalization; Roles of schools in providing and financing rehabilitation therapies for children with special needs.

Davern, M., T.J. Beebe, L. A. Blewett, and K.T. Call. 2003. “Recent Changes to the Current Population Survey: Sample Expansion, Health Insurance Verification, and State Health Insurance Coverage Estimates.” Public Opinion Quarterly 67 (4): 603-626.

Blewett, L. A., S. Smaida, C. Fuentes, and E. Ulrich. 2003. “Health Care Needs of the Growing Latino Population in Rural America: Focus Group Findings in One Midwestern State.” Journal of Rural Health 19 (1): 33-41.

Latinos represent nearly 13% of the U.S. population, surpassing African-Americans as the nation's largest racial/ethnic group. Many rural midwestern communities are seeing unprecedented growth in their Latino populations, creating new challenges and pressures for health and social service providers. This study is based on four focus groups conducted in three rural communities to examine concerns with health care services and access to care. Focus group analysis found several key barriers to health care access, including cost of health care services and frustration with the complexity of the U.S. health care system, as well as language and cultural issues that adversely affect patient-provider relationships. In addition, a number of impediments related to employer-sponsored health coverage were identified, including prohibitive premium costs as well as concerns about occupational injuries and access to care during work hours. The growth of the Latino population in the rural Midwest will require changes in existing health and social service systems to serve as a bridge to new systems in this country. We recommend several policy options including premium subsidies for low-wage jobs, community-based enrollment specialists for public programs, and continued research and data collection to monitor change and progress.

Blewett, L. A., G. Davidson, M. Brown, and R. Maude-Griffin. 2003. “Hospital Provision of Uncompensated Care and Public Program Enrollment.” Medical Care Research and Review 60 (4): 509-527.

Hospital provision of uncompensated care is partly a function of insurance coverage of state populations. As states expand insurance coverage options and reduce the number of uninsured, hospital provision of uncompensated care should also decrease. Controlling for hospital characteristics and market factors, the authors estimate that increases in MinnesotaCare (a state-subsidized health insurance program for the working poor) enrollment resulted in a 5-year cumulative savings of $58.6 million in hospital uncompensated care costs. Efforts to evaluate access expansions should take into account the costs of the program and the savings associated with reductions in hospital uncompensated care.