Jane L Holl1, Kristen Shook Slack, Amy Bush Stevens. 1. Institute for Health Services Research and Policy Studies, 339 E Chicago Ave, Room 713, Chicago, IL 60611-3071. j-holl@northwestern.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We assessed the relation between the work promotion, welfare reduction, and marriage goals of welfare reform and the stability of health insurance of parents in transition from welfare to work. METHODS: We analyzed a panel survey (1999-2002) of a stratified random sample of Illinois families receiving welfare in 1998 (n=1363). RESULTS: Medicaid remains the foremost source of health insurance despite a significant decline in the proportion of parents with Medicaid. Regardless of work/welfare status in year 1, transitioning to work only or no work/no welfare increased the likelihood of having unstable health insurance in years 2 and 3 compared with those who remained on welfare only. CONCLUSIONS: Parents who meet the welfare reform goals of work promotion and reduction of welfare dependence experience significant loss and instability of health insurance.
OBJECTIVES: We assessed the relation between the work promotion, welfare reduction, and marriage goals of welfare reform and the stability of health insurance of parents in transition from welfare to work. METHODS: We analyzed a panel survey (1999-2002) of a stratified random sample of Illinois families receiving welfare in 1998 (n=1363). RESULTS: Medicaid remains the foremost source of health insurance despite a significant decline in the proportion of parents with Medicaid. Regardless of work/welfare status in year 1, transitioning to work only or no work/no welfare increased the likelihood of having unstable health insurance in years 2 and 3 compared with those who remained on welfare only. CONCLUSIONS: Parents who meet the welfare reform goals of work promotion and reduction of welfare dependence experience significant loss and instability of health insurance.
Authors: Norma I Gavin; E Kathleen Adams; Willard G Manning; Cheryl Raskind-Hood; Matthew Urato Journal: Health Serv Res Date: 2007-08 Impact factor: 3.402