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Does the Expansion of Medicaid Lead to Income Adjustment---Evidence from SIPP

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  • Li, Mingjian

Abstract

This study examines whether Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) led to strategic income reductions to qualify for coverage. Using monthly data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (2013–2019) and a regression discontinuity design, this paper finds that childless households in expansion states with earnings just above the eligibility threshold reduced their lowest monthly earnings by 39 percentage points of the Federal Poverty Level (roughly $700 for a two-person household) relative to those just below. The effect intensified as the mandate penalty increased and diminished after its repeal. Evidence suggests earnings adjustments along both intensive and extensive margins. The paper reinforces the validity of using the lowest monthly earning to identify Medicaid eligibility and provides the first evidence of a substantial labor supply response to the ACA

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Mingjian, 2025. "Does the Expansion of Medicaid Lead to Income Adjustment---Evidence from SIPP," MPRA Paper 125043, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:125043
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    1. Zhuan Pei, 2017. "Eligibility Recertification and Dynamic Opt-In Incentives in Income-Tested Social Programs: Evidence from Medicaid/CHIP," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 9(1), pages 241-276, February.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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