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The Effect of Child Health Insurance Access on Schooling: Evidence from Public Insurance Expansions

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  • Sarah R. Cohodes
  • Daniel S. Grossman
  • Samuel A. Kleiner
  • Michael F. Lovenheim

Abstract

Although a sizable literature analyzes the effects of public health insurance programs on short-run health outcomes, little prior work has examined their long-term effects. We examine the effects of public insurance expansions among children in the 1980s and 1990s on their future educational attainment. We find that expanding health insurance coverage for low-income children increases the rate of high school and college completion. These estimates are robust to only using federal Medicaid expansions and mostly are due to expansions that occur when the children are not newborns. Our results indicate that the long-run benefits of public health insurance are substantial.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah R. Cohodes & Daniel S. Grossman & Samuel A. Kleiner & Michael F. Lovenheim, 2016. "The Effect of Child Health Insurance Access on Schooling: Evidence from Public Insurance Expansions," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 51(3), pages 727-759.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:51:y:2016:i:3:p:727-759
    Note: DOI: doi:10.3368/jhr.51.3.1014-6688R1
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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