Monitoring the uninsured: A state policy perspective

Abstract Because states have primary responsibility for the implementation of pub-lic health insurance programs, states need timely, good quality data to evaluate pro-grams, monitor trends in the number and characteristics of the uninsured, and better understand the dynamics of health insurance coverage. This article provides a syn-thesis of the data sources available to states for monitoring rates of health insurance coverage. Information was collected through a comprehensive review of state and national health surveys and in-depth interviews with state analysts in all fifty states. Our findings suggest that national surveys do not meet states ’ needs for data, and in response, states have initiated their own household surveys. We provide information on thirty-six household surveys that are used to estimate state levels of health insur-ance coverage. We recommend that national and state efforts be better coordinated to facilitate efficient use of resources to achieve good state-level date. Background Having quality data is key to a state’s ability to evaluate past access ini-tiatives, monitor trends in the number and characteristics of the uninsured, and provide support for the development and implementation of new health coverage programs. Health care reform in the early 1990s and th