The changing profile of the urban uninsured: exploring implications of rise in the number of moderate-income uninsureds

Abstract

Access to care is a major problem in urban America that increasingly affects new segments of the population. Although the demographic profile of the uninsured has changed, recording large increases in numbers of moderate-income uninsured persons, it has not been accompanied by changes in health care safety net programs or increased availability of private insurance products tailored to these groups. Any such changes, however, need to be based on a good understanding of the similarities and differences between low-income and moderate-income uninsured. Based on a telephone survey of the uninsured in three northern New Jersey counties, this study presents a systematic comparison of low-income (below 150% of federal poverty level) and moderate-income (150% to 350% federal poverty level) uninsured on attitudes to health care, perceptions regarding access to care, health status, and health care utilization. We discuss the implications of this comparison for expanding health care access and design of safety net programs and institutions.