Reforming New York State’s Individual Insurance Market, Phase 2

The number of New Yorkers getting health insurance via the individual market dropped from 750,000 in 1993 to less than 100,000 in 2008, according to estimates from the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, Inc.

In the second of two grants from the New York Health Foundation’s Coverage Consortium initiative, the Manhattan Institute analyzed reasons why participation in New York State’s individual, direct-pay insurance market has dropped so dramatically. Using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, the Manhattan Institute examined how regulations have affected price, participation, and competition in this market and developed concrete recommendations for revitalizing this sector of the health insurance market.

This project was part of a larger NYHealth Coverage Consortium that funded 10 grants to seven universities, policy institutes, and community agencies across the State, supporting projects that could inform State health reform efforts, offer ways to streamline enrollment in public programs, significantly reduce costs and improve quality, and test ideas for expanding coverage among small employers, sole proprietors, and self-employed people.

Read an NYHealth special report that contains a summary of findings from this consortium.

Read about the first of two grants to the Manhattan Institute from the NYHealth Coverage Consortium initiative.