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