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The Largest Insurance Expansion in History: Saving One Million Lives Per Year in China

Author

Listed:
  • Jonathan Gruber
  • Mengyun Lin
  • Junjian Yi

Abstract

The New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) rolled out in China from 2003-2008 provided insurance to 800 million rural Chinese. We combine aggregate mortality data with individual survey data, and identify the impact of the NCMS from program rollout and heterogeneity across areas in their rural share. We find that there was a significant decline in aggregate mortality, with the program saving more than one million lives per year at its peak, and explaining 78% of the entire increase in life expectancy in China over this period. We confirm these mortality effects using micro-data on mortality, other health outcomes, and utilization.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Gruber & Mengyun Lin & Junjian Yi, 2023. "The Largest Insurance Expansion in History: Saving One Million Lives Per Year in China," NBER Working Papers 31423, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
  • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31423
    Note: AG CH DEV EH LS PE
    as

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H4 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private

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