STATE RISK POOLS AND MENTAL-HEALTH-CARE USE

State risk pools provide an opportunity for persons with mental health and substance abuse (MH/SA) problems to purchase health insurance. Th is study uses data from eight risk pools during the period 1988-1991 t o analyze the utilization and enrollment experience for persons who su bmit claims for MH/SA treatment. Special consideration is given to the effect of variation in inpatient benefits across risk pools. The expe rience of Connecticut's risk pool differs markedly from chat of the ot her risk pools. Given that two states (Connecticut and Florida) have r estricted MH/SA benefits over time, we discuss the ability of risk poo ls to maintain comprehensive MH/SA benefits.