Mueller K J, Beavers S L
Nebraska Center for Rural Health Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198, USA.
J Health Soc Policy. 1998;10(1):53-64. doi: 10.1300/J045v10n01_05.
(1) To measure the rates of insurance in a population of HIV+ status. (2) To test an hypothesis that persons with AIDS are more likely to be uninsured than those who are HIV+ without AIDS. (3) To test the hypothesis that persons who are HIV+ experience difficulties maintaining their health insurance.
Clients of three service agencies were surveyed. Demographic information was used to eliminate duplicate responses. Of the potential 480 respondents, 238 returned the surveys, reflecting approximately 10% of the estimated number of HIV+ persons in Nebraska. Descriptive techniques were used to analyze the data, and chi-square techniques were used in group comparisons.
Forty-three percent of the respondents were covered by private insurance, and 22% lacked any health insurance coverage. Persons with AIDS were less likely to have private insurance coverage and more likely to be receiving Medicaid coverage, but less likely to be uninsured. HIV+ test results contributed to a loss of insurance for 25 respondents, and HIV or AIDS positive was a reason for 29 respondents being denied insurance.
