Description

For persons who, in the last 12 months (HINOLAPY = "2") did not have any health insurance coverage (through Medicare, Medicaid or other public assistance, Military health care, the Indian Health Service, or private insurance coverage or single service plans), this variable indicates the main reason the respondent did not have health insurance. Respondents were handed a card which listed 8 reasons or could specify "other" and were asked to pick only one.

Comparability

This variable is comparable over time. Changes in survey design (e.g., quarters in which the supplement was collected) may affect raw frequencies, but do not affect comparability of the variable. As always, data users should use the prescribed IPUMS NHIS weights.

It is not comparable with variables for 1997 forward which indicate why coverage stopped as substantial changes in the universe limit comparability. For 1997, the universe includes only those without insurance for less than 3 years. In 1998 to 1999, the universe included those without coverage for more than three years, or those whose coverage status was unknown. From 2000 forward, persons with only a single service plan were considered not covered, and included in the universe.

Universe

Availability

• 1993-1996

Weights

• 1994-1996 : PERWEIGHT
• 1993 : SAMPWEIGHT