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Nonparametric Kernel Estimation of the Impact of Tax Policy on the Demand for Private Health Insurance in Australia

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  • Xiaodong Gong
  • Jiti Gao

Abstract

This paper is motivated by our attempt to answer an empirical question: how is private health insurance take-up in Australia affected by the income threshold at which the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) kicks in? We propose a new difference de-convolution kernel estimator for the location and size of regression discontinuities. We also propose a bootstrapping procedure for estimating confidence bands for the estimated discontinuity. Performance of the estimator is evaluated by Monte Carlo simulations before it is applied to estimating the effect of the income threshold of Medicare Levy Surcharge on the take-up of private health insurance in Australia using contaminated data.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaodong Gong & Jiti Gao, 2015. "Nonparametric Kernel Estimation of the Impact of Tax Policy on the Demand for Private Health Insurance in Australia," Monash Econometrics and Business Statistics Working Papers 6/15, Monash University, Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics.
    • Handle: RePEc:msh:ebswps:2015-6
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    De-convolution kernel estimator; regression discontinuity; error-in-variables; demand for private health insurance.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C29 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Other
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private

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