Agricultural Economics Department

 

Date of this Version

2013

Document Type

Article

Citation

Nebraska Rural Poll, Research Report (July 2013) 13-1, 27 pages

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Also available at https://ruralpoll.unl.edu/pdf/13healthcare.pdf

Abstract

Most rural Nebraskans currently have health insurance. Only nine percent of rural Nebraskans do not have health insurance while the majority of residents have health insurance through job benefits. These responses are nearly identical to 2004 when this question was last asked.

Persons living in the North Central region, persons with lower household incomes, persons who have never married, persons with lower education levels and persons with food service or personal care occupations are the groups most likely to be uninsured.

Most rural Nebraskans expect to have health insurance next year. Only two percent of residents do not plan on having health insurance next year. Many of the persons who currently do not have health insurance aren’t sure if they will have coverage next year.

Most rural Nebraskans do not understand the new health care reform law. And, most rural Nebraskans think the country as a whole and self-employed individuals will be worse off under the new health care reform law. Just over one-third of rural Nebraskans think people currently without health insurance will be better off under the new law. But, many rural Nebraskans are unsure how the various groups will be affected by the new law. Persons living in or near smaller communities are more likely than persons living in or near large communities to say they and their family will be worse off under the new health care reform law.

Most rural Nebraskans think the new health care reform law will not be successful at decreasing health care costs overall. And, many rural Nebraskans think it will not be successful at increasing the quality of health care. However, over one-third of rural Nebraskans think the new law will be somewhat successful at increasing access to health insurance coverage. Many rural Nebraskans are unsure if the new law will be successful at accomplishing the various items.

Most rural Nebraskans anticipate getting information regarding the new health care reform law from the media. Many rural Nebraskans expect to get information about the new law from their employer, their doctor, the Internet, their insurance agent and friends or relatives.

Share

COinS