The uninsured in the context of an experimental approach to health care reform

Objective: To explore the reasons for remaining uninsured in the context of an experimental approach to health care designed to expand insurance affor dability and availability (tenure). Methods: A telephone survey of heads of households in 13 counties in midstate Tennessee (n = 5,000). Results: of t hose surveyed, 54% reported affordability as the main obstacle to obtaining health insurance. Conclusions: This survey was designed to describe the un insured as a population of interest. The survey found that for those not el igible for Medicaid, signing up for TennCare presents both financial and ti me costs that many are not willing to incur.