Description

For persons age 18 and over who lost their job or were laid off in the last 12 months, HICOVR is a recoded variable indicating: a) whether the person lost health insurance coverage as a result of the job loss; b) if the person was subsequently without any health insurance; or c) if the person was covered by any public health programs (such as Medicaid, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, or military benefit programs).

Comparability

Apart from changes in the survey quarters in which this question was asked, HICOVR is comparable over time. Using the prescribed IPUMS NHIS weights eliminates comparability issues related to survey design.

Because the universe for HICOVR pertains to persons who lost their job, it is not comparable with the variables HICOVSTAT (1993 to 1996) or HICOVER (1997 to 1999). These are recoded variables for all persons.

Universe

Availability

• 1983-1984, 1986, 1989

Weights

• 1984, 1986, 1989 : PERWEIGHT
• 1983 : SAMPWEIGHT