HEALTH-INSURANCE COVERAGE AMONG PERSONS WITH AIDS - RESULTS FROM A MULTISTATE SURVEILLANCE PROJECT

To determine factors associated with health insurance coverage among p ersons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), we interviewed 1958 persons 18 years of age or older who were reported to have AIDS i n 11 states and cities. Overall, 25% had no insurance, 55% had public insurance, and 20% had private insurance. Factors associated with lack of insurance varied by current employment status. Employed persons wi th an annual household income of less than $10 000 were 3.6 times more likely to lack insurance than employed persons with a higher income. Unemployed persons diagnosed with AIDS for less than 1 year were two t imes more likely to lack health insurance than unemployed persons diag nosed for a longer time. Making insurance available to persons identif red as most likely to lack insurance should improve access to care for persons with AIDS.