Document Type
Policy Brief
Publication Date
1-1-2009
Keywords
health system reform, MRHRC, uninsured, rural, children, data, Access/Insurance
Abstract
Following the implementation of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), rural health researchers noted that this public insurance expansion had the potential to dramatically improve health insurance coverage for rural children.1 At the time, rural children were more likely than their urban counterparts to be uninsured, and also were more likely to have family incomes in the range targeted by SCHIP (100- 200% of Federal Poverty Level-FPL).2
This brief uses the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) to compare the health insurance coverage of rural and urban residents in 1997 and 2005 to assess how uninsured rates and sources of coverage have changed since SCHIP was enacted.* We also discuss the characteristics of the rural uninsured and the implications for health insurance reform. Rural is defined as living in a non-metropolitan county, as designated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). All presented results are statistically significant at p. ≤ .05.
Funding Organization
Supported by the federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Grant Number
CA#U1CRH03716
Recommended Citation
Ziller, E. C., & Coburn, A. (2009). Rural coverage gaps decline following public health insurance expansions. (Research & Policy Brief). Portland, ME: University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research Center.
