README1.TXT FILE FOR CD-ROM HC-001 This README1.TXT file contains the following three parts: Part 1: Data Use Agreement Part 2: Contents of this CD-ROM and Helpful Hints Part 3: Contacts for Additional Information Part 1: Data Use Agreement Individual identifiers have been removed from the micro-data contained in these data files. Nevertheless, under sections 308 (d) and 903 (c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 242m and 42 U.S.C. 299 a-1), data collected by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) and /or the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) may not be used for any purpose other than for the purpose for which it was supplied; any effort to determine the identity of any reported persons or establishments, is prohibited by law. Therefore in accordance with the above referenced Federal Statute, it is understood that: 1. No one is to use the data in this data set in any way except for statistical reporting and analysis; and 2. If the identity of any person or establishment should be discovered inadvertently, then (a) no use will be made of this knowledge, (b) The Director Office of Management AHCPR will be advised of this incident, (c) the information that would identify any individual or establishment will be safeguarded or destroyed, as requested by AHCPR, and (d) no one else will be informed of the discovered identity. 3. No one will attempt to link this data set with individually identifiable records from any data sets other than the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey or The National Health Interview Survey. By using this data you signify your agreement to comply with the above stated statutorily based requirements with the knowledge that deliberately making a false statement in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the Federal Government violates 18 U.S.C. 1001 and is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or up to 5 years in prison. The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research requests that users cite AHCPR and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey as the data source in any publications or research based upon these data. Part 2: Contents of this CD-ROM and Helpful Hints In addition to this README1.TXT file, this CD-ROM contains the following 39 files: README2.TXT: This ASCII file contains documentation for the MEPS Round 1 Household Component Data Collection Instrument, which is provided on this CD-ROM as 33 files, all in PDF format (see below). HC001.DAT: This ASCII file contains 24,676 records with 111 variables. The contents of this file, including programming information, is contained in the document file HC001DC.PDF HC001DC.PDF: This file contains the document describing the contents of the data file HC001.DAT. It includes a codebook indicating the record layout (i.e., the start and end position of each variable) of the file. The codebook also includes listings of the variables in both alphabetical and position order, as well as the following information for each variable: 8 character name, 40 character description, format (length), type (character or numeric), start and end position, and formatted frequencies. Both unweighted and weighted frequencies are provided for all variables. HC001SA.TXT: This ASCII file contains the following SAS statements which can be used to create a SAS data set and format library for the data file HC001.DAT: INPUT, FORMAT, LABEL and VALUE statements. The following 33 files on this CD-ROM contain the data collection instruments for Round 1 of the MEPS Household Component; these are described in the README2.TXT file. CA_P1R1.PDF CE_P1R1.PDF CL_P1R1.PDF CN_P1R1.PDF CP_P1R1.PDF DD_P1R1.PDF DN_P1R1.PDF ED_P1R1.PDF EM_OP1R1.PDF EM_P1R1.PDF ER_P1R1.PDF EV_P1R1.PDF EW_P1R1.PDF FF_P1R1.PDF HE_P1R1.PDF HH_P1R1.PDF HP_P1R1.PDF HQ_P1R1.PDF HS_P1R1.PDF HX_P1R1.PDF MC_P1R1.PDF MV_P1R1.PDF OC_P1R1.PDF OM_P1R1.PDF OP_P1R1.PDF PD_P1R1.PDF PG_P1R1.PDF PM_P1R1.PDF PP_P1R1.PDF PV_P1R1.PDF RE_AP1R1.PDF RE_BP1R1.PDF RS_P1R1.PDF AR16E30.EXE: This is the Adobe Acrobat Reader software (Version 3.0, for use with Microsoft Windows 3.1), which must be used to view or print the .PDF files contained on this CD-ROM. Users should read the README3.TXT for information on installation of this software, as well as its use with various types of printers and printer drivers (e.g., non- PostScript printer drivers). README3.TXT: This is the readme file provided as part of the AR16E3O.EXE software. Helpful Hints for Using this CD-ROM If your PC has a disk drive with sufficient storage capacity, you should copy the entire CD-ROM or selected files to that device. This will enhance performance because the data transfer rate on such a device can be up to six times faster than that of a CD reader, depending upon the disk drive used. The compact disc should be handled with care and always stored in its plastic case. Do not touch the surface. Hold the disc by the outside edge and gently place it in the CD reader. If the surface becomes scratched or damaged, it may become unusable. Part 3: Contacts for Additional Information Questions of a content or technical nature about the files on this CD-ROM should be directed to the following: Content: MEPS Information Coordinator Center for Cost and Financing Studies Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Executive Office Building, Suite 500 2101 East Jefferson Street Rockville, Maryland 20852 Phone: 301-594-1406 E-mail: MEPSPD@AHCPR.GOV Technical: Paula Beasley Social & Scientific Systems 7101 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1300 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 Phone: 301-986-4870 E-mail: PBEASLEY@AHCPR.GOV