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Effect of universal health coverage on marriage, cohabitation and labor force participation

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  • Azuara, Oliver

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of universal health coverage on cohabitation, marriage, and labor force participation. Economic gains from marriage when non-labor income increases among partners. I use the expansion of non-contributory health insurance in Mexico to test this. This insurance scheme, called Seguro Popular (SP), provides a minimum set of health benefits to the population not covered by formal social security. The rollout of SP started in 2002 across municipalities. This variation makes possible examine the effect of health insurance on marital status among workers. The analysis of this paper shows that non-contributory health insurance coverage has a significant negative effect on the probability of marriage among poor and low educated males and females, and a positive effect on the probability of cohabitation. SP, however, has no effect on labor force participation.

Suggested Citation

  • Azuara, Oliver, 2011. "Effect of universal health coverage on marriage, cohabitation and labor force participation," MPRA Paper 35074, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:35074
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Marriage; cohabitation; health insurance; Seguro Popular; Oportunidades; Mexico;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • J0 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General
    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health

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