Studies from Vanderbilt University Yield New Data on Health Insurance (Health Insurance Coverage among Puerto Rican Adults in Same-Sex Relationships)

Managed Care Weekly Digest

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Managed Care Weekly Digest -- Fresh data on Health Insurance are presented in a new report. According to news reporting originating in Nashville, Tennessee, by NewsRx editors, the research stated, "The primary objectives of this study were to measure and compare health insurance coverage between nonelderly Puerto Rican adults in cohabiting same-sex relationships and their counterparts in cohabiting different-sex relationships. This study used data from the 2008-2014 Puerto Rican Community Survey on nonelderly adults (18-64 years) in cohabiting same-sex (n=274) and different-sex (n=58,128) relationships."

The news reporters obtained a quote from the research from Vanderbilt University, "Multinomial logistic regression models estimated differences in primary source of health insurance while controlling for key demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Compared with men in different-sex relationships, men in same-sex relationships were less likely to have employer-sponsored insurance (ESI). Women in same-sex relationships were less likely than others to have ESI, insurance purchased directly from an insurer, and public health insurance after controlling for socio-demographic factors."

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: "Employment-based discrimination and policy barriers may have prevented same-sex couples from enjoying the full benefits associated with marriage and cohabitation in Puerto Rico, including employer-sponsored health insurance."

For more information on this research see: Health Insurance Coverage among Puerto Rican Adults in Same-Sex Relationships. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 2017;28(3):915-930. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved can be contacted at: Johns Hopkins Univ Press, Journals Publishing Division, 2715 North Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363, USA (see also Health Insurance).

Our news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained by contacting G. Gonzales, Vanderbilt University, Sch Med, Dept. of Hlth Policy, Nashville, TN 37203, United States.