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Private health insurance and health in a healthcare system with comprehensive public insurance

Author

Listed:
  • Elizabeth Baldwin

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Jonas Fooken

    (Macquarie University
    The University of Queensland)

  • David Rowell

    (The University of Queensland)

Abstract

A large literature shows that attaining private health insurance (PHI) improves the health of individuals who do not have access to healthcare that is provided free of charge. However, even when individuals already benefit from public health insurance, complementary and supplementary PHI may benefit population health. We study the association between health and PHI for hospital care in Australia that individuals purchase in addition to a comprehensive public health insurance and the provision of free care in public hospitals. We find that hospital PHI holders have better health but identify no significant relationship between attaining hospital PHI or between policy-induced PHI and health.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth Baldwin & Jonas Fooken & David Rowell, 2025. "Private health insurance and health in a healthcare system with comprehensive public insurance," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 68(4), pages 2009-2040, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:68:y:2025:i:4:d:10.1007_s00181-024-02680-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-024-02680-2
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • 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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