Understanding the impact of the Massachusetts health insurance reform for persons with mental illness from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds

This paper presents the theoretical framework and baseline data for a current study investigating the impact of the Massachusetts health insurance reform on mental health delivery for individuals from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds. As of July 2007, all uninsured Massachusetts residents who can afford it must purchase health insurance through the state-administered insurance plan. Individuals previously funded through the uncompensated care pool who are between 100% and 300% of the federal poverty line will be expected to contribute towards their insurance plan according to a sliding scale fee. Little is known about how the proposed health insurance changes will affect the delivery of mental health care for racial and ethnic minorities, particularly the foreign-born, or whether eligible individuals from these populations will choose to take-up the insurance option.

Baseline data is being collected from a convenience sample of racial and ethnic minorities at outpatient mental health clinics in a public health hospital system (n=70). Quantitative and qualitative information focuses on the service use patterns, experience with and knowledge of the insurance option, what the respondent intends to do regarding coverage options and mechanisms that may influence take-up of the insurance options. These data should provide some of the first information about how the insurance reforms will affect receipt of outpatient mental health treatment for minorities previously covered by the free care pool. Implications for policy-makers will be proposed to help guide future health insurance reforms and mental health policy in other states.