One of the critical challenges faced by many microentrepreneurs is that of accessing affordable health insurance.  Recognizing this reality, FIELD has developed a set of resources for microenterprise practitioners to inform them about the key issues involved in access to health insurance, and some of the policy strategies that are being considered, and used, to address this issue.

Summary Analysis of Health Insurance Gaps, Policies and Promising Strategies
This four page summary presents the scope of the health insurance crisis facing microentrepreneurs, and then briefly analyzes some of the proposed national, state and community-level solutions to this crisis.

Side-by-Side Comparison of Health Insurance Options for the Low-Income Self-Employed
This seven-page chart compares promising state, national and community-level programs to cover the uninsured, including low-income microentrepreneurs. Each program is assessed according to eligibility criteria, extent of health care benefits, cost and other factors. Contact information is provided for further information.

FIELD Health Insurance White Paper
A 35-page examination of the problem of how to broaden access to affordable health insurance for low-income, self-employed individuals. This paper presents both the demand and supply dimensions to the problem, and looks at federal and state policies and programs that relate to health care access issues. The paper ends by presenting a broad outline of a strategy for testing approaches to bridging the health insurance gap for microentrepreneurs.

Other Helpful Resources

Community Health Centers
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services maintains a searchable directory of community health centers that provide health care to underserved and uninsured populations. Plug in a zip code and see a list of community health centers.

Families USA is a national nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans. This Web site is a tool for advocates and health care/insurance activists. Users can track Senate and House bills related to Medicare. Also has state-by-state guides to accessing health care and health insurance. Particularly useful is a list of "related links" that is the most comprehensive list of health care related Web sites and organizations, including funders, on the Internet.

Glossary of Health Insurance Terms
The most comprehensive on-line glossary of health insurance terminology.

The HSA Insider is a Web site to help individuals and employers have their questions about Health Savings Accounts answered. It has a list of HSA insurers in every state and is a very up-to-date Web site with links to all HSA-related news articles, bills, etc.