DHHS, Office of the Secretary, Office of Acquisition Management; Room 443H, Humphrey Building; 200 Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20201

R -- ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL DATA ON HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETS IN ALL UNITED STATES POC Point of Contact: Cheryl Howe, Contract Specialist, 202- 690-5552 The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) intends to negotiate with the Alpha Center, 1350 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20036, on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 to acquire additional data on health insurance markets in every state. The project will identify: (1) insurance market changes that relate specifically to state laws complying with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); and (2) the relationship between health insurance market structure and rate of coverage in the population. In conjunction with research funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Alpha Center recently compiled and analyzed 1995 data on health insurance markets in every state from a wide variety of sources. The researchers have developed methods for using these cross-sectional data to examine the impact of regulation, market trends and environmental variables on the insurance market. The Alpha Center also plans to collect and evaluate similar data from 1996 and 1997. The combined time- series data will then be used to examine specifically how HIPAA- related regulations have affected the insurance market and the consequent changes in rates of coverage. The research will help DHHS and Congress appreciate the impact of new federal regulation on insurer practices and determine whether the regulations are improving access and coverage for people with health problems. The purpose of this synopsis is to determine whether there may be other sources with the requisite background, qualifications and access to data to perform the work described above. Any organization capable of performing similar services should submit a statement of capabilities with documentation supporting its ability to meet the Government's requirements as described above. No solicitation document is available. Capability statements should be submitted within 45 days of the publication of this synopsis to the contact point and address given above. See Note 22. Posted 07/22/98 (D-SN226770). (0203)

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