New survey shows numbers of uninsured Americans overestimated

The U.S. Census Bureau last year revised the methodology of its Current Population Survey, which has tracked health insurance information for 30 years, because it was producing inflated estimates of uninsured Americans.

Other surveys — such as the CDC's National Health Interview Survey — have noted a decline in the uninsured, but not as sharp as that from the CPS, according to The Wall Street Journal. This is because the old survey contained complicated questions respondents had trouble answering accurately.

The revision produced results that are not compatible with historic results, making it difficult to track uninsured rates just when it will be critical to see the effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to WSJ.

The revised CPS can only trend health information data back to 2013, according to the report, but now coverage information is more accurate.

The CPS is the only survey to track insurance data in conjunction with income, poverty and workforce participation information, according to the report.

 

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