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Effects of Subsidized Health Insurance on Newborn Health in a Developing Country

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  • Adriana Camacho
  • Emily Conover

Abstract

Colombia's rapid and considerable expansion of health insurance coverage in the 1990s provides an opportunity to evaluate in a developing country whether health insurance improves health outcomes. Using administrative data and a regression discontinuity design, we find that babies born from mothers with health insurance have a lower incidence of low birth weight. We also find some indication that mothers with health insurance had better access to health facilities. These results are robust to different specifications and sample restrictions.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriana Camacho & Emily Conover, 2013. "Effects of Subsidized Health Insurance on Newborn Health in a Developing Country," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 61(3), pages 633-658.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:ecdecc:doi:10.1086/669263
    DOI: 10.1086/669263
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