201243 Working immigrant Latinos in California, 2001: An analysis of the impact of years of U.S. residency on their take-up of health insurance coverage

Monday, November 9, 2009: 3:10 PM

Jaime G. González, DrPH, MSSW, MSHA , Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Kristine Lykens, PhD , Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Sue Lurie, PhD , Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Sejong Bae, PhD , Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, UNT Health Science Center School of Public Health, Forth Worth, TX
Robert Kaman, JD, PhD, FAWHP , Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Research Objective: This study investigates the relationship between immigration and health insurance coverage among working Latinos in California and examines the impact immigration has in determining the take-up of public and private coverage.

Study Design: The study is a secondary data analysis of the Health Insurance Coverage Among Working Latinos in California, 2001 Survey (Greenwald, 2001). A telephone survey of 1,000 laborers was conducted. Respondents' were asked about their coverage, health status and access to care. Multinomial logistics regression is used to analyze public, private and lack of coverage.

Population Studied: The sample was distributed across a variety of coverage types and was categorized by the source of coverage (employer-sponsored, government-sponsored, or purchased coverage). Approximately 70.1% of the sample held some form of coverage while only 29.9% lacked any form of coverage.

Principal Findings: US immigrant Latino workers are at great risk of not possessing any form coverage. This disparity is noteworthy in this sample among those in construction, manufacturing and agricultural/mining/landscaping. Of those who did not possess any form of coverage, greater than 50% worked more than 40-plus hours per week. The rate of insurance was 70.1% while only 29.9% lacked any form of coverage. Factors affecting insurance status and type are explored further in the multi-nomial regressional analysis.

Conclusions: Healthcare reform policies aimed increasing access to healthcare for Latino immigrants should consider hours worked and industry of employment. Policymakers must revisit eligibility requirements for government-sponsored coverage to increase access.

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the relevant factors surrounding immigrant Latinos’ ability to purchase health insurance coverage in the US. Explain why immigrant Latino laborers in the US are at greatest risk of not possessing any form health insurance coverage.

Keywords: Immigrants, Health Insurance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am currently a doctoral candidate at the University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health in the Department of Health Management & Policy. My dissertation focus is on Latinos in California and their take-up of health insurance coverage. I currently hold a Master's Degree in Health Administration (MSHA) and a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSSW). Additionaly, I am the national business development manager for UnitedHealthcare's multicultural marketing division, Latino Health Solutions.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.