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Worker Sorting, Compensating Differentials and Health Insurance: Evidence from Displaced Workers

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  • Steven F. Lehrer
  • Nuno Sousa Pereira

Abstract

This article introduces an empirical strategy to the compensating differentials literature that i) allows both individual observed and unobserved characteristics to be rewarded differently in firms based on health insurance provision, and ii) selection to jobs that provide benefits to operate on both sides of the labor market. Estimates of this model are used to directly test empirical assumptions that are made with popular econometric strategies in the health economics literature. Our estimates reject the assumptions underlying numerous cross sectional and longitudinal estimators. We find that the provision of health insurance has influenced wage inequality. Finally, our results suggest there have been substantial changes in how displaced workers sort to firms that offer health insurance benefits over the past two decades. We discuss the implications of our findings for the compensating differentials literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven F. Lehrer & Nuno Sousa Pereira, 2007. "Worker Sorting, Compensating Differentials and Health Insurance: Evidence from Displaced Workers," NBER Working Papers 12951, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:12951
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    Cited by:

    1. Azuara, Oliver, 2011. "Effect of universal health coverage on marriage, cohabitation and labor force participation," MPRA Paper 35074, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Stéphanie Lluis & Jean Abraham, 2013. "The Wage–Health Insurance Trade-off and Worker Selection: Evidence From the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 1997 to 2006," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(2), pages 541-581, April.
    3. Lubotsky, Darren & Olson, Craig A., 2015. "Premium copayments and the trade-off between wages and employer-provided health insurance," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 63-79.
    4. Amuedo-Dorantes, Catalina & Kimmel, Jean, 2008. "New Evidence on the Motherhood Wage Gap," IZA Discussion Papers 3662, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Nan L. Maxwell, "undated". "The ACA, Health Care Costs, and Disparities in Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance," Mathematica Policy Research Reports cbf89dba1f494bfbb654acde7, Mathematica Policy Research.
    6. Azuara, Oliver & Marinescu, Ioana, 2011. "Informality and the expansion of social protection programs," MPRA Paper 35073, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Priyanka Anand, 2017. "Health Insurance Costs and Employee Compensation: Evidence from the National Compensation Survey," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(12), pages 1601-1616, December.
    8. DeVaro, Jed & Maxwell, Nan L., 2014. "The elusive wage-benefit trade-off: The case of employer-provided health insurance," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 23-37.
    9. repec:mpr:mprres:7683 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Steven F. Lehrer & Nuno Sousa Pereira, 2008. "Worker Sorting, Health Insurance and Wages: Further Evidence from Displaced Workers in the United States," CEF.UP Working Papers 0804, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    11. Azuara, Oliver & Marinescu, Ioana, 2013. "Informality and the expansion of social protection programs: Evidence from Mexico," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 938-950.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General

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