Vulnerable populations and health insurance

This study provided a national profile of health insurance of certain vulne rable populations including children, racial/ethnic minorities, low-income families, non-metropolitan statistical area (MSA) residents, and those with poor health status. The study shows an increase in the proportion of unins ured nonelderly population. While public insurance helped reduce the employ ment- and health-related disparities in private coverage, it has not overco me other disparities related to vulnerable characteristics including race/e thnicity, wages, education, and area of residence. Comparison between healt h maintenance organization (HMO) and fee-for-service insurance indicates th at younger although not much healthier people, racial/ethnic minorities, MS A residents, and those residing in the West and Northeast regions were more likely to have HMO coverage. To reduce significant disparities in health i nsurance coverage, policy makers will have to consider expanding public ins urance coverage, targeting vulnerable groups, partiallarly those with multi ple vulnerable characteristics rather than merely the economically distress ed. Expecting managed care to achieve cost containment for services provide d to vulnerable populations may be unrealistic.