How have state policies to expand dependent coverage affected the health insurance status of young adults?

ABSTRACT:

Research objective

Nearly one in three adults of ages 19-29 lack health insurance, representing the highest uninsured rate of any age group. To help address this gap, 38 states have enacted laws requiring insurers to permit young adults to enroll as dependents on their parents' plans. This paper evaluates their impact on coverage for young adults.

Study design/methods/data

This study uses data for individuals ages 19-29 from the Current Population Survey's Annual Demographic Supplement for calendar years 2000-2008. Linear probability models are used to obtain difference-in-differences estimates of the impact of dependent coverage expansions in 19 early-adopting states on young adults' insurance status. The models also address possible policy endogeneity due to the nonrandom

SUBMITTER: Monheit AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3037781 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature