Research

Abstract: This paper uses Utah All-payer Claims Data linked to earnings records to estimate an insurance demand model that jointly considers earnings dynamics and medical risk. Including earnings dynamics reduces the estimated insurance take-up rate by 14.7% and increases the premium by 3.8%. Heterogeneous earnings dynamics influence the willingness to pay (WTP) for health insurance, even among individuals with identical medical risks, thereby weakening the connection between expected medical costs and WTP. Simulations show that means-tested subsidies increase equilibrium take-up less than equivalently costly uniform subsidies. Combining public insurance expansion with means-tested subsidies significantly boosts welfare.

Abstract: This paper studies how the private DI market and consumers responded to a reform that abolished public occupational disability insurance (ODI) for German cohorts born after 1960. The first part shows a causal reduction in overall DI inflows by more than 30% in the long-run. The second part studies the private individual risk-rated ODI market. Representative data do not show substantial increases in take-up. A general equilibrium model featuring the social safety net, asymmetric information and administrative costs can rationalize these weak private-public interactions as well as stylized facts such as strong private ODI take-up gradients by income and health. It also simulates policies that could have increased take-up further in the course of the reform and assesses their welfare effects. However, although welfare improving, none of the feasible reforms would have increased take-up to more than 60%.

Abstract: We use the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to explore how high school peers' grit, a personality trait characterized by perseverance and passion, influences long-term outcomes. Exploiting random variation within schools across cohorts, we find that peer grit significantly increases future earnings, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. We identify two key mechanisms: an increased likelihood of employment in jobs aligned with career goals and a reduced probability of feeling overwhelmed by difficulties. Additionally, peer grit leads to higher job satisfaction and asset accumulation. Thus, peer grit's effects extend beyond short-term educational performance and persist into adulthood.

Abstract: This paper studies the healthcare utilization and spending consequences when uninsured individuals take up limited Primary Care Network (PCN) insurance coverage. Available in Utah since 2002, PCN provides primary and emergency care but excludes inpatient and specialty care to contain costs. We create a unique administrative dataset at the person-month level covering the universe of inpatient, emergency, and ambulatory care use among all Utah residents from 2001 to 2005. In the 36 months after gaining PCN coverage, event study models show that---relative to traditional Medicaid enrollees---Emergency Room use among formerly uninsured increases by 21% while inpatient use decreases by 28% and ambulatory hospital use decreases by 42%. Total hospital spending increased by 6%, primarily driven by use linked to mental health.

Abstract: tbh