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Black-White Gaps in Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance

Author

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  • Helen Levy

Abstract

Using data from the Current Population Survey for 1988 through 2023, I find that Black-White differences in own-employer health insurance are highly persistent over time but differ sharply by sex: Black male workers are substantially less likely than White male workers to have ESHI, while Black female workers are more likely than White female workers to have ESHI. The mechanisms underlying the gaps differ fundamentally for men and women: Employer offering dominates for men, while take-up dominates for women. The findings underscore the importance of analyzing race and sex jointly rather than pooling groups or focusing only on men.

Suggested Citation

  • Helen Levy, 2026. "Black-White Gaps in Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 116, pages 406-411, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:116:y:2026:p:406-411
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20261096
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G22 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions

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