Download data and study materials from OSF
Principal investigator:
Katherine McCabe
Rutgers University
Email: k.mccabe@rutgers.edu
Homepage: http://www.katherinetmccabe.com/
Sample size: 2016
Field period: 01/22/2018-04/30/2018
Subjects are randomly assigned into one of five experimental conditions, delivered as different versions of a survey question.
Control condition: Individuals proceed directly to the outcome measures.
Insurance condition: individuals are prompted to read about a situation in which individuals might confront an unexpected health care cost when their insurance plan does not pay for medical treatment. Individuals are asked if they have had or heard about this experience.
Provider condition: individuals are prompted to read about a similar situation. The variation is that in this treatment the situation is one that emphasizes the role of the health care provider, instead of insurance. Individuals are asked if they have had or heard about this experience.
In the last two treatment conditions, a cue is added to provide a contextual link between one’s personal experience with unexpected health care costs and the government conversation on health care.
Insurance + Government Cue condition and Provider + Government Cue condition: individuals receive the following text prior to the prompt about unexpected health care costs: "Some people want Democrats and Republicans in government to address the costs of health care."
Attribution:
Suppose you received an unexpected medical bill, and the amount you had to pay out-of-pocket was expensive and difficult to pay in full. If you received this type of medical bill, who would deserve the blame for your experience?
Rank the following, where 1= deserves the most blame, 2= the second most blame, 3= the third most blame, 4= the fourth most blame, 5= the least blame. Response Options: Republicans in government, for failing to address rising health care costs.; Democrats in government, for failing to address rising health care costs.; A health care provider, for failing to be transparent about costs or provide affordable services.; A health insurance company, for failing to provide adequate coverage for medical care.; You, as the consumer, for failing to save enough money or purchase adequate health insurance.
Contact:
Suppose you received an unexpected medical bill, and the amount you had to pay out-of-pocket was expensive and difficult to pay in full. Which of the following people would you contact about the bill?
Rate each group of people on a scale from “Definitely would not contact” to “Definitely would contact.” Response Options: A congressman or senator's office; A government health or consumer protection agency; An insurance company; A health care provider (e.g., hospital, clinic); A lawyer; Your family; Your friends