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The Rise of the Modern Hospital and Early-Life Health: Evidence from the Hill-Burton Act

Author

Listed:
  • Owen Thompson
  • Jason Fletcher
  • Karin Wu

Abstract

The U.S. hospital sector expanded rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s, largely due to construction subsidies provided under federal legislation known as the Hill-Burton Act. This paper examines the impact of Hill-Burton grants on maternity care access and infant health. We find that grants for public hospitals significantly reduced out-of-hospital births and infant mortality, particularly among non-white populations. In contrast, grants for private non-profit hospitals had no measurable effects on out-of-hospital births or infant mortality.

Suggested Citation

  • Owen Thompson & Jason Fletcher & Karin Wu, 2026. "The Rise of the Modern Hospital and Early-Life Health: Evidence from the Hill-Burton Act," NBER Working Papers 34976, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:34976
    Note: CH DAE EH LS PE
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H40 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - General
    • I39 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Other
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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