Why are Low-Income Teens More Likely to Lack Health Insurance Than Their Younger Peers

Bibliographic Data

ID13776155
AuthorsLindsey Jeanne Leininger, Lindsey Leininger (0000-0001-7980-0083, University of Chicago, corresponding author), Margaret E Burns (0000-0002-0625-2861), Marguerite E Burns
Year2011
Volume48
Issue2
Pages123-137
Publication date2011-05-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueINQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0046-9580 • E-ISSN: 1945-7243
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.5034/inquiryjrnl_48.02.01
PMID21898984
OpenAlexW2001169190
LanguageEN
References cited24

Low-income teenagers are more likely to lack health insurance than younger children. Using data from the 2006, 2007, and 2008 rounds of the National Health Interview Survey, we examine whether differences between teens and younger children in socioeconomic factors, public health insurance eligibility, and observable family characteristics explain this apparent age-related coverage gap. Somewhat surprisingly, they do not. We find a highly robust age-coverage gradient among poor and near-poor children. Our results suggest the need to examine teen-specific insurance enrollment dynamics, particularly in families with no younger siblings, to optimize the effect of the newly enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on teens' insurance coverage

Demographic economics · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Health care · Health insurance · Panel Study of Income Dynamics · Population · Public health insurance · Socioeconomic status · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Healthcare Policy and Management · Medicine · Primary Care and Health Outcomes

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access