Evidence of a causal link between health outcomes, insurance coverage, and a policy to expand access: experimental data from children in the Philippines.
In this paper, we present evidence on the health effects of a health insurance intervention targeted to poor children using data from a randomized policy experiment known as the Quality Improvement Demonstration Study. Among study participants, using a difference-in-difference regression model, we estimated a 9-12 and 4-9 percentage point reduction in the likelihood of wasting and having an infection, respectively, as measured by a common biomarker C-reactive Protein. Interestingly, these benefits were not apparent at the time of discharge; the beneficial health effects were manifest several weeks after release from the hospital.
Quimbo
Stella A
SA
School of Economics, University of the Philippines, Philippines.
Peabody
John W
JW
Shimkhada
Riti
R
Florentino
Jhiedon
J
Solon
Orville
O
D015415:Biomarkers; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D015984:Causality; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010679:Philippines; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019282:Wasting Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
D015415:Biomarkers