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Did the ACA reduce job-lock and spur entrepreneurship?

Author

Listed:
  • Simon Condliffe
  • Matt B. Saboe
  • Sabrina Terrizzi

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of the recent Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Dependent Mandate (DM) that requires health insurers to extend dependent coverage to the children of their insured, up to age 26. The DM has the potential to free young persons from “job lock,” enabling them to engage in entrepreneurial activity. Using the American Community Survey, the authors analyze the change in self-employment for ages 18-25 relative to the implementation of the DM. Design/methodology/approach - The authors approach the research question in a unique manner and in doing so, extend the literature. Employing national data, the authors focus on young adults impacted by the DM (those under the age of 26 may remain on their parents’ insurance). While the DM is a condition of the ACA, prior to its implementation several states had already passed their own such provision. The authors exploit this state-by-state variation in the methodology. Findings - The authors find no evidence that the ACA has stimulated self-employment among all young adults. However, the authors determine that the DM has a positive and significant effect on the likelihood of students being self-employed. The result is even more pronounced when using a stricter definition of entrepreneurship, an incorporated business. Sub-group analyses show no evidence of a significant effect on entrepreneurship among young adults in other groups. The results remain after conducting various falsification tests. Originality/value - The paper empirically addresses the commonly held belief that the ACA is creating new businesses via reduced job lock. Policy makers may wish to target other explanations of job lock rather than health insurance availability.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Condliffe & Matt B. Saboe & Sabrina Terrizzi, 2017. "Did the ACA reduce job-lock and spur entrepreneurship?," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 6(2), pages 150-163, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:eme:jepppp:jepp-09-2016-0032
    DOI: 10.1108/JEPP-09-2016-0032
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hossain, Md. Mobarak, 2021. "Relationship Between Health Insurance and Self-employment: A Systematic Review," MPRA Paper 105634, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Kwapisz, Agnieszka, 2020. "Health insurance coverage and sources of advice in entrepreneurship: Gender differences," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 14(C).
    3. James Bailey & Dhaval Dave, 2019. "The Effect of the Affordable Care Act on Entrepreneurship among Older Adults," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 45(1), pages 141-159, January.
    4. Margaret E. Blume-Kohout, 2024. "Entrepreneurship Lock and the Demand for Health Insurance: Evidence from the US Affordable Care Act," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 77(2), pages 199-226, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Entrepreneurs; Affordable Care Act; Dependent mandate; Job lock; I18; I13; J68;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • J68 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Public Policy

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