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How Do State Infertility Insurance Mandates Affect Divorce?

Author

Listed:
  • Inna Cintina
  • Bingxiao Wu

Abstract

The technological developments in infertility treatments have increased the success of childbearing among women with impaired fertility. Fifteen U.S. states have mandated insurance coverage of assisted reproductive technology, thus subsidizing and increasing the use of the technology. We exploit the variation of mandates across states and over time to examine the relationship between state mandates and the likelihood of divorce. Using individual‐level data from the 1984–2008 Survey of Income and Program Participation, we find that women are less likely to divorce after the state adopts infertility insurance mandates. We find the effect is larger among women in their 40s, covered by private insurance, with a college degree, and without children. (JEL J12, J13, J18, I13, I18)

Suggested Citation

  • Inna Cintina & Bingxiao Wu, 2019. "How Do State Infertility Insurance Mandates Affect Divorce?," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 37(3), pages 560-570, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:37:y:2019:i:3:p:560-570
    DOI: 10.1111/coep.12416
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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