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Medical Care Research and Review, Vol. 65, No. 2, 187-206 (2008) DOI: 10.1177/1077558707312578 The Response of Small Businesses to Variation in the Price of Health InsuranceResults From a Randomized Controlled TrialUniversity of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego There is substantial interest in attempts to reduce the number of uninsured persons by providing subsidies to small businesses. To measure the responsiveness of small businesses to offers of subsidized coverage, the authors conducted a randomized controlled trial in which selected groups of San Diego businesses were offered the opportunity to purchase coverage at prices ranging from $20 to $100 per month for an employee-only policy. At $20 per month, an estimated 40% of eligible businesses purchased insurance; at $100 per month, 13% purchased insurance. Small businesses not currently offering insurance to employees are not very responsive to large reductions in the price of coverage. Programs to subsidize insurance for small businesses and their employees are unlikely to substantially reduce the number of uninsured persons.
Key Words: insurance small business subsidy programs
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