This dataset was generated from a survey that studied newly-hired home health attendants and their families, using a pre- and post-program design. A total of 475 attendants were interviewed for the pre-program, and follow-up interviews were obtained from 360 of the 475 sample members. Most of the study subjects were without medical insurance until they became eligible for health benefits through their union. The attendants were interviewed at the point of union enrollment, and again nine months later to assess changes in health status and health services utilization.

During the pre-program survey, respondents were queried about concerns over health, recent injuring, self-assessed health, extent and type of previous health coverage, limitations of daily functioning due to poor health, and recent health care utilization. The post-program survey included questions about out-of-pocket expenses, type of health services received, and questions about health care utilization that were specific to the New York City area. Additional variables in the data collection include respondent's race, Hispanic origin, place of birth, past work experience, date of birth, and sex, plus the sex and dates of birth of family members.