Description

For sub-sampled persons ages 20 and over, PROBCOST indicates whether the person had a problem getting medical care during the past 12 months "because of how much it cost."

The question for PROBCOST was asked for a sub-sample of randomly selected persons age 20 and over; NHIS automatically classifies persons who were selected but did not complete the questions as responding "no" for this variable. Users may choose to use this variable in combination with SUBSRESP77, which reports the person's sub-sample status in 1977.

Other variables from the 1977 survey cover other types of problems in getting medical care: availability (PROBAVAIL); scheduling difficulties (PROBHRS); lack of transportation (PROBTRAN); and lack of information on where to obtain care (PROBWHERE).

PROBGETCARE summarizes the results from this series of questions relating to these five specific obstacles and indicates whether the person had one or more problems getting medical care during the past 12 months.

Individuals who reported having had any problems getting medical care for any of these specific reasons were asked, "Did this problem prevent you from getting medical care for yourself?" The results of this inquiry are reported in PROBPREVCARE (Problem prevented from getting medical care 1+ times).

Comparability

This variable is available only for 1977, for a subsample of one-third of persons age 20 and older.

Universe

Availability

• 1977

Weights

• 1977 : SUB77WT