This experimental survey will examine
reporting of health insurance coverage under three different
questionnaire treatments: the Current Population Survey Annual
Social and Economic Supplement (CPS), the American Community Survey
(ACS) and an experimental set of questions designed to improve the
accuracy of reporting. The survey will be conducted by telephone
with two types of sample: RDD and
On January 21, 2010, the
Census Bureau submitted a request to conduct this survey under our
generic clearance covering basic methodological research on
questionnaire design and evaluation (split-ballot field tests,
respondent debriefings, interviewer evaluations, etc.). Turn-around
time for requests under the generic clearance is generally 10 days,
and since 1999 the Census Bureau has conducted several similar (and
related) studies under this generic clearance. In early February,
2010, however, we were informed by OMB that this particular study
did not fall under the generic clearance but required a separate
package because of the increased visibility of health insurance
measurement issues which arose in the context of recent
high-profile efforts to evaluate various health system reform
proposals. Given the timing of this determination that a separate
OMB clearance package is needed, the choice is either to delay the
survey by about six months or to pursue an emergency clearance.
Delaying the survey has several negative consequences. In the short
run, significant resources have been dedicated to running this
survey in the spring of 2010, and shifting the timing would not
only squander those resources, but it is unlikely that sufficient
staff would be available later. Related to this, beginning in May
2010 and running through September 2010, several decennial followup
operations will be conducted out of the Hagerstown telephone
facility, and the SHIPP study would directly conflict with
resources dedicated to those efforts. But perhaps the most
compelling reason the survey cannot be delayed is due to the nature
of the research questions. The Redesign is aimed at reducing
measurement error associated with the calendar year reference
period, in tandem with the approximate three-month lag time between
the end of the reference period and the interview date. Thus, to
assess whether the Redesign results in any improvement in reporting
of retrospective coverage relative to the CPS ASEC, it is essential
that the field study be carried out in parallel with the timing of
production CPS ASEC data collection as closely as possible. A
6-month delay would seriously threaten the applicability of the
results.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form SHIPP Questionnair Survey of Health Insurance and Program Participation
Census Emergency Letter to OMB.SHIPP 2-22-10.pdf
Survey of Health Insurance and Program Participation