Chapter 5 Disparate Effects of CHIP Premiums on Disenrollment for Minorities

Abstract

This chapter examines whether or not the introduction of a new $20 family premium in Kentucky's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) program in late 2003 had a differential impact on the enrollment duration of children in different demographic groups, with a special focus on any potential differences by race or ethnicity. A competing risk hazard model is estimated in order to differentiate between children exiting CHIP via a transfer to Medicaid and children who exited public coverage completely. We find that non-white children are generally more likely to exit than white children. This general white/non-white difference increases immediately following the introduction of the $20 premium