Description

For persons without health insurance coverage, HISTOP19 indicates if a reason for not having coverage is "no need/choose not to have." Respondents were handed a card listing possible reasons for no insurance and were asked to specify up to five reason(s) or could specify 'other'. For all years, individuals with single service plans were asked for reasons for no insurance, because single service plans were not considered to be insurance plans.

For related variables, please use the IPUMS NHIS search function and drop-down menus.

Comparability

There are no comparability issues. This variable is not comparable with variables on reasons for no insurance for 1997 and before. For 1997, the universe includes only those without insurance for less than 3 years and the response categories are slightly different from all other years. Users who want to compare HISTOP19 with variables from before 1997 should see the recoded variable HINOTHER.

Prior to 1997, respondents who indicated no insurance may have been covered through other public programs or may have somehow misreported their coverage status. For 1997 forward, the NCHS began editing responses regarding insurance coverage status (based on the plan name given by the respondent) to improve accuracy. The variables from before 1997 have not undergone this editing to improve accuracy and are therefore less comparable with those after 1997.

Universe

Availability

• 1998-2018

Weights

• 1998-2018 : PERWEIGHT