Released as an ASCII file (with related SAS, SPSS, and STATA programming statements) and a SAS transport dataset, this public use file provides information collected on a nationally representative sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population of the United States for calendar year 2003. This file consists of MEPS survey data obtained in Rounds 3, 4, and 5 of Panel 7 and Rounds 1, 2, and 3 of Panel 8 (i.e., the rounds for the MEPS panels covering calendar year 2003) and consolidates all of the final 2003 person-level variables onto one file. This file contains the following variables previously released on HC-073: survey administration, language of interview variable, demographics, parent identifiers, health status, disability days variables, access to care, employment, quality of care, patient satisfaction, health insurance and use variables. The HC-079 file also includes these variables: income variables and expenditure variables. Readme fileUpdate Notes
The SPSS Programming Statements have been replaced. The prior version did not contain formats for all of the variables, and was missing a needed "execute" statement.
Update #2: 07/31/09
The variable SAQWT03F has an incorrect label. The label should read "FINAL SAQ PERSON WEIGHT, 2003".
Update #1: 12/12/07
The variable FOODCT03 on the HC-079 data file should not be used because it is based on an invalid question in the survey instrument. This question asks "About how much did the family pay each month for food stamps?" when in fact, as of 1979, the food stamp program no longer maintained a purchase requirement. All responses are considered invalid.
*The PDF version of the codebook is recommended for printing; the HTML version is database driven and lets you navigate quickly to details on each variable.
**Right-click on the data file link, then select Save Target As or Save Link As to download the file.
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