NEWSRELEASE
For Release: March 6, 2007
Contact: John
McDowell, (202) 205-6941
SBA Number: 07-5 ADVO
Press Kit
Report Examines Structural Factors Affecting Health Care Coverage Of Small Firm Workers
Analyzes Macro-Level Factors Impacting Coverage And Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A report issued today by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration examines structural factors affecting health care coverage of small firm workers. Unlike most previous efforts of analysis, the study focuses on state and Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) factors that influence employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) coverage rates and per capita health care expenditures.
“This report takes a new look at health care coverage for small firm workers,” said Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for the Office of Advocacy. “While most studies have examined firm-level factors that influence health insurance coverage decisions, this report studies linkages between various structural factors, health care coverage, and health care expenditures.”
Among the report’s findings are that the two most important factors associated with low ESI rates are employee wages and firm size. The report also examined MSA and state structural factors such as the concentration of Medicaid recipients, the concentration of manufacturing employees, the supply of hospital beds, and the amount of specialty health care services.
Econometrica, Inc. wrote the study, Structural Factors Affecting the Health Insurance Coverage of Workers at Small Firms, with funding from the Office of Advocacy. Chief Economist Moutray released the report at the Association of Small Business Development Centers 2007 Spring Business Meeting.
The Office of Advocacy, the “small business watchdog” of the federal government, examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President. It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats, and it funds research into small business issues.
For more information and a complete copy of the report, visit the Office of Advocacy website at
www.sba.gov/advo.###
The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. The presidentially appointed Chief Counsel for Advocacy advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policy makers. For more information, visit
www.sba.gov/advo, or call (202) 205-6533.