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The Impact of the Macroeconomy on Health Insurance Coverage: Evidence from the Great Recession

Author

Listed:
  • John Cawley
  • Asako S. Moriya
  • Kosali I. Simon

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of the macroeconomy on the health insurance coverage of Americans using panel data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) for 2004-2010, a period that includes the Great Recession of 2007-09. We find that a one percentage point increase in the state unemployment rate is associated with a 1.67 percentage point (2.12%) reduction in the probability that men have health insurance; this effect is strongest among college-educated, white, and older (50-64 year old) men. For women and children, health insurance coverage is not significantly correlated with the unemployment rate, which may be the result of public health insurance acting as a social safety net. Compared to the previous recession, the health insurance coverage of men is more sensitive to the unemployment rate, which may be due to the nature of the Great Recession.

Suggested Citation

  • John Cawley & Asako S. Moriya & Kosali I. Simon, 2011. "The Impact of the Macroeconomy on Health Insurance Coverage: Evidence from the Great Recession," NBER Working Papers 17600, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:17600
    Note: CH EFG EH LS PE
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    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions
    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers

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