Factors Affecting Reduction of Gender Differences in Health Care Coverage for Vocational Rehabilitation Clients with Disabilities

BackgroundUninsured women with disabilities experience serious difficulties in accessing quality health care. Employment improves an individual's ability to access health insurance. The aim of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR) is to improve employment abilities for people with disabilities.Study PurposeTo examine gender differences in health insurance coverage for people who access VR and the factors that influence health insurance coverage for people with disabilities.MethodsThe study analyzed VR case management data from 617,149 cases that were closed by VR in 2006 in the United States. Chi-square and t-tests were used to examine gender differences and multivariate analysis was used to assess factors that influence health insurance coverage.Principal FindingsThe study found significant gender differences in access to VR employment-enhancing services and in insurance coverage. Women were more dependent on coverage from public sources.ConclusionVR can improve health insurance coverage but is more effective with men than with women.