Project Purpose/Goals

The purpose of this project is to collect data that will enable this state to develop initiatives designed to stabilize health insurance rates and expand access to health insurance coverage, particularly within the small group health insurance market. Set forth below are the project goals:

1. To organize the South Carolina Health Insurance Policy Advisory Committee - a multi-disciplinary advisory committee that will develop and design strategies to help reduce the number of uninsured by improving access to health insurance coverage.
    
2. To summarize existing data to gain an understanding of the health insurance status of South Carolinians.
    
3. To collect primary data that will identify the uninsured, the reasons for their uninsured status and their barriers to health insurance.
    
4. To analyze the data collected about the uninsured to help determine how the state may improve upon successful public programs (e.g., SCHAP) or design new strategies, programs and/or initiatives to improve access to health insurance coverage and stabilize rates within the market so that those individuals with insurance do not lose coverage.
    
5. To present the project findings to policymakers and leaders within the state to help implement initiatives and strategies identified by HIPAC as possible solutions to improving health insurance access.

South Carolina's goals are consistent with HRSA's State Planning Grant goals. The broad statement of goals listed above will enable this state to improve access and stabilize health insurance rates.