title: Effects of state contraceptive insurance mandates.
abstract: Using U.S. Natality data for 1996 through 2009 and an event analysis specification, we investigate the dynamics of the effects of state insurance contraceptive mandates on births and measures of parental investment: prenatal visits, non-marital childbearing, and risky behaviors during pregnancy. We analyze outcomes separately by age, race, and ethnicity. Among young Hispanic women, we find a 4% decline in the birth rate. There is evidence of a decrease in births to single mothers, consistent with increased wantedness. We also find evidence of selection into motherhood, which could explain the lack of a significant effect on birth outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Western Carolina University, Forsyth 224A, Cullowhee, NC 28723, United States. Electronic address: akdills@wcu.edu.
authors.forename: Angela K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Dills
authors.affiliation: Seton Hall University, JH 621 Department of Economics and Legal Studies, Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Ave, South Orange, NJ, 07079, United States. Electronic address: anca.grecu@shu.edu.
authors.forename: Anca M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Grecu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017677:Age Distribution; D001723:Birth Rate / Q000208:ethnology / Q000639:trends*; D003267:Contraception / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007086:Illegitimacy / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000191:economics* / Q000208:ethnology; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D013219:State Government; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016387:Women's Health / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000639:trends; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Birth rates; Contraceptive; Economics of the family; Infant health; Insurance mandate