In an effort to learn more about health care in Ohio, two state departments are collaborating on a project to survey 33,000 households during the next few months. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Health are co-sponsoring a survey to ask about family members' overall health status and the type of health care, if any, they are receiving.

"The survey will help us determine who may be eligible for Medicaid, the number of people who have health insurance and those who do not have insurance," Barbara Edwards, director, ODJFS Office of Ohio Health Plans said. "Participants will not be asked to give their names. We are encouraging residents to be honest and forthcoming with their answers so that the information gathered will be an accurate assessment of health care in Ohio."

Edwards said individuals conducting the survey will identify themselves, mention both department sponsors and state why they are calling. Then they will ask for health information on one randomly selected adult and one randomly selected child in each household, if there is a child in the family. Some of the questions are --What is your general health status? Are you covered by health insurance or some other health plan? Have you ever been told that you have a chronic illness? In the last 12 months, was there ever a time when you needed health care but couldn't get it? On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your health care insurance coverage?

The information will be useful to researchers and policymakers because it will help to determine how health care services are used, determine whether or not there is adequate access to health care, and understand some of the issues relating to cost. The information will also help state officials monitor changes in health care trends and at the same time, help profile residents' health care as it pertains to age, race, gender, education, income, employment, and health status.

The Ohio Department of Health sponsored a similar survey four years ago and will assist with the new survey by providing technical assistance and reviewing various components such as the training manual and survey testing results. The survey will end in the spring of 2004 and final results will be available later in the year.

- 30 -

For more information, contact ODJFS Communications, (614) 466-6650.