Understanding the reasons for variation in estimates of uninsurance is useful to policy-makers who use the estimates to make policy decisions, but should not distract them from finding solutions to lack of coverage.

What researchers found: State surveys consistently produce estimates of uninsurance that are lower than estimates produced by the national Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS-ASEC) survey, fueling debate about the true number of uninsured Americans. The largest differences in the estimates can be explained by fundamental design and administrative features on both surveys: State surveys have an advantage in the area of measurement and the CPS-ASEC has the advantage in the areas of population coverage, sample design and nonresponse bias.

Why we chose this publication: Findings from this study highlight how the different uninsurance estimates can be used by policy-makers to inform their decisions. Although important, resolving these discrepancies should not detract from the need to focus attention on increasing health care access and addressing the health needs of the uninsured.

What researchers studied: Researchers compared estimates of health insurance coverage from individual state surveys and the CPS-ASEC from the same year. They performed their own analysis of survey discrepancies, focusing on the key methodological reasons for the variation in estimates.

Publication information:
“Estimates of Health Insurance Coverage: Comparing State Surveys with the Current Population Survey”
Call KT, Davern M and Blewett LA
Health Affairs, 26(1): 269-278, January/February 2007