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Growing up without health insurance: Evidence from rural China

Author

Listed:
  • Guanfu Fang
  • Xin Li
  • Tianyu Tang

Abstract

This paper examines the long‐term effects of health insurance on children's educational attainment in a developing country. Utilizing the county‐by‐county rollout of the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme in rural China, we find that exposure to the health insurance program in early life leads to improved educational attainment in adulthood. Empirical tests suggest that a short‐term increase in health care utilization is unlikely to be a potential channel. We provide some evidence for the channel that health insurance reduces household financial burdens and increases household expenditure on children's nutrition.

Suggested Citation

  • Guanfu Fang & Xin Li & Tianyu Tang, 2024. "Growing up without health insurance: Evidence from rural China," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 363-390, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:33:y:2024:i:2:p:363-390
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.4778
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