Title: Comparing four estimation methods for uninsurance in Florida

Authors: Ning Jackie Zhang, Thomas T.H. Wan, Renee Brent

Addresses: University of Central Florida, College of Health and Public Affairs, 3280 Progress Drive, Orlando, FL 32826, USA. ' University of Central Florida, College of Health and Public Affairs, 3280 Progress Drive, Orlando, FL 32826, USA. ' University of Central Florida, College of Health and Public Affairs, 3280 Progress Drive, Orlando, FL 32826, USA

Abstract: Although the high percentage of the uninsured is an important public policy issue, discrepancies in both state and national estimates of the numbers of uninsured are reported. There is a critical need to address the methodological problem of the estimation. This study compares four advanced estimation methods for uninsurance by using Florida Health Insurance Survey data as an example. The four predictive models are decision tree, neural network, general logistic regression and two-stage logistic regression. The two-stage logistic regression model is found to be the best model for imputing missing data on health insurance. Risk factors to uninsurance are identified. Corresponding policy implications are discussed.

Keywords: uninsurance; estimation methods; health insurance; data imputation; decision tree; neural networks; general logistic regression; two-stage logistic regression; Medicaid; USA; United States; public policy; healthcare.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPP.2007.012912

International Journal of Public Policy, 2007 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.342 - 355

Published online: 23 Mar 2007 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article