Codes and Frequencies
Description
For persons without health insurance coverage for less than 3 years, HISTOP10A indicates if one of the reasons for not having health insurance was the person's insurance plan raised the premium cost. Respondents were handed a card listing possible reasons for no insurance and were asked to specify the reason(s) or could specify 'other' (respondents were limited to five reasons for 1997 forward). Individuals with single service were considered to be uninsured, and included in the universe for this variable.
In 1997, in addition to HISTOP10A, respondents could indicate no insurance because the cost was too high (HISTOP11).
Comparability
There are no comparability issues. This variable is only available in 1997.
HISTOP10A is not comparable with variables for 1997 forward. 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 should also not compare HISTOP10A with variables on reasons for no insurance from before 1997. Users who want to compare variables before and after 1997 should see the recoded variable HINOCOSTR, which has been recoded by the IPUMS NHIS staff to improve comparability over time. Users are strongly encouraged to review the user notes Insurance Data Collection.
In 1997, the survey included several reasons related to unemployment: whether the individual (HISTOP1) or their parent/spouse (HISTOP2A) lost their job or changed employers as the reason for no insurance. For 1997, two categories for cost-related reasons were available: cost was too high (HISTOP11) or the insurance company raised its premium. (HISTOP10A). For 1998 forward, only HISTOP11 is available. Other reasons for no insurance were also available only in 1997 and not for 1997 forward.
From 1997 forward, the NCHS edited the responses for insurance coverage based on plan name to improve the accuracy in insurance coverage status. In addition, prior to 1997, respondents who indicated no insurance due to cost may have been covered through other public programs (see HINOREXPEN, available for 1976, 1980, 1982-1984, 1986, 1989, 1993-1996).
Universe
- 1997: All persons without health insurance coverage for less than 3 years
Availability
- 1997
Weights
- 1997 : PERWEIGHT
