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The long-term impacts of Medicaid exposure in early childhood: Evidence from the program's origin

Author

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  • Boudreaux, Michel H.
  • Golberstein, Ezra
  • McAlpine, Donna D.

Abstract

This paper examines the long-term impact of exposure to Medicaid in early childhood on adult health and economic status. The staggered timing of Medicaid's adoption across the states created meaningful variation in cumulative exposure to Medicaid for birth cohorts that are now in adulthood. Analyses of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics suggest exposure to Medicaid in early childhood (age 0–5) is associated with statistically significant and meaningful improvements in adult health (age 25–54), and this effect is only seen in subgroups targeted by the program. Results for economic outcomes are imprecise and we are unable to come to definitive conclusions. Using separate data we find evidence of two mechanisms that could plausibly link Medicaid's introduction to long-term outcomes: contemporaneous increases in health services utilization for children and reductions in family medical debt.

Suggested Citation

  • Boudreaux, Michel H. & Golberstein, Ezra & McAlpine, Donna D., 2016. "The long-term impacts of Medicaid exposure in early childhood: Evidence from the program's origin," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 161-175.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:45:y:2016:i:c:p:161-175
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2015.11.001
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Medicaid; Health and human capital;

    JEL classification:

    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private

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