Issue
The Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS) is a series of surveys administered by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. MEPS surveys individuals and families, medical providers, and employers across the U.S. to gather data on the cost and use of health care and health insurance coverage. This proposal would add sexual and gender identity (SOGI) questions to the MEPS, alongside changes to the survey structure to accommodate these additions, in accordance with President Biden’s directive to expand the collection of SOGI data.
Impact
There are 14 million adults in the U.S. who identify as LGBT. Research shows that LGBTQ people experience physical and mental health disparities compared to non-LGBTQ people and are especially vulnerable to economic insecurity. Including SOGI measures in the MEPS would provide valuable insight into the health and economic needs of LGBTQ people and increase the federal government’s ability to respond to those needs.
Summary
Scholars provide social science research on the health and economic disparities impacting LGBTQ people. In addition, they support SOGI data collection in accordance with the 2022 recommendations from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine and provide guidance to ensure the adoption of tested survey measures for LGBTQ subpopulations, such as transgender people.