Recorded presentation

Carol Murry, DrPH, Health Policy Coordinator, Researcher, University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Social Sciences, Honolulu, HI 96822, 808) 956-7360, murry@hawaii.edu and D. William Wood, PhD, Department of Sociology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2424 Maile Way, Room 247, Honolulu, HI 96822-2223.

As part of a federal planning grant to the State of Hawaii to address the issues of insuring its citizens, University of Hawaii Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) researchers surveyed 189 uninsured persons and 60 providers throughout the state to determine the impact of lack of coverage on uninsured persons, their families, providers and the state. Among the interviewees were 100, who stated that they were working but did not have health insurance coverage. · Part-time workers constituted a varied group, some of whom were absolutely “down and out” and others who had other sources of income. Many worked several part-time jobs. · Self-employed workers were another broad group, ranging from business owners and contractors to those who worked by the job. Pride was a significant issue for this group · Those ineligible for coverage under Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act included 89-day hire government workers and substitute teachers, as well as those who were “down-and-out” and working for cash under the table.

The impact of lack of coverage for the uninsured workers could be seen in the level of untreated or self-treated injuries and illness and the resultant suffering due to health problems. They tended to receive little or no preventive care, monitoring, or health screening. Access to care was limited, resulting in no medication or under-dosage for treatable illnesses. The costs to the State as a whole were evident when lack of preventive care or treatment led to costly medevac, emergency room treatments, kidney transplant, and unpaid debt.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List 3 categories of uncovered workers in the state of Hawaii and compare them to the categories of your own state.
• Describe one qualitative approach to determining the impact of uninsurance on individuals, families, providers, and the state.
• Articulate the 3 reasons for including qualitative data on uninsured persons and providers to the uninsured when developing health coverage policies.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation