Type of Document	Dissertation
Author	Bowen, William R.
Author's Email Address	Bibowen@aol.com
URN	etd-04082005-083001
Title	Policy Innovation and Health Insurance Reform in the American States: An Event History Analysis of State Medical Savings Account Adoptions (1993-1996)
Degree	Doctor of Philosophy
Department	Political Science, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title William D. Berry Committee Chair Charles J. Barrilleaux Committee Member Evan J. Ringquist Committee Member Mary E. Guy Committee Member
Keywords	MSA State Policy Analysis Medical Savings Accounts State Policy Innovation Event History Analysis State Policy Diffusion State Policy Adoption State Health Insurance Reform
Date of Defense	2005-03-17
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract This dissertation provides an analysis and evaluation of state medical savings account (MSA) adoptions between 1993-1996, using an Event History Analysis. The primary research question is why do states adopt the policies they do? I use the theoretical framework provided by Berry and Berry (1999) which unifies the diffusion and internal determinants approaches to the analysis of state policy adoption. This theoretical framework posits that state policy adoption is a function of the motivation to innovate, obstacles, resources, external influences, and other policies. A hypothesis-generating case study was also conducted with the object of inquiry being the state adoption of the MSA in Mississippi in 1994. The statistical analysis was conducted using probit. The analysis found strong support for the influence of state parties and the activities of a policy entrepreneur on policy adoption. There was support, albeit weaker, for the role of state uninsurance and the influence brought about by neighboring states.
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