Do underserved and underrepresented communities pay a higher premium in employer-sponsored healthcare coverage?

Authors
Susan M Albring, professor of accounting, Whitman School, Syracuse University
Patricia Crawford, doctoral student in finance, University of Rhode Island
Willie Reddic, associate professor of accounting, Whitman School, Syracuse University

Journal
Proposal for MetLife Grant

Summarizing the essence (findings or implications)
We examine the socioeconomic inequities/ health coverage disparities that underserved and underrepresented communities face related to the cost of health insurance.

Research Questions
Our goal is to better understand if there are social disparities (inequities) embedded in a basics need (or basic human right), such as health care coverage.

What We Know
If we find that employees from different racial/ethnic groups pay higher premiums for health insurance, we will measure the economic cost of this disparity by measuring the median income times the percentage difference in health care costs.

Originality/Value - Novel Findings and Implications for Policy and Society
To minimize the racial/ethnic wealth gap in healthcare insurance, we plan to offer several solutions that are data-driven and evidence-based. Theses include 1) using data analysis and monitoring to identify and address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes for different racial and ethnic groups 2) increasing cultural competency (DEI) training for healthcare providers and promoting diversity and inclusion in healthcare leadership and decision-making 3) providing information and assistance for low-income individuals and families to understand the employee/employer coverage options.

Abstract
To minimize the racial/ethnic wealth gap in healthcare insurance, we plan to offer several solutions that are data-driven and evidence-based. Theses include 1) using data analysis and monitoring to identify and address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes for different racial and ethnic groups 2) increasing cultural competency (DEI) training for healthcare providers and promoting diversity and inclusion in healthcare leadership and decision-making 3) providing information and assistance for low-income individuals and families to understand the employee/employer coverage options.