The Affordable Care Act, Dependent Health Insurance Coverage, and Young Adults' Health

This study examines the consequences of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) dependent coverage provision for the health of U.S. young adults aged\–25. Using data from the Current Population Survey—March Supplement for the years 2007–2012 and ordered logistic regression analyses, we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sociological inquiry 2014-05, Vol.84 (2), p.191-209
Main Authors: Carlson, Daniel L., Lennox Kail, Ben, Lynch, Jamie L., Dreher, Marlaina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access
Age Groups
Dependents
Health
Health Care Industry
Health Care Services
Health Care Utilization
Health Insurance
Implementation
Insurance coverage
Logistics
Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act 2010-US
Patients
Protection
Regression Analysis
Young Adults
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Summary:This study examines the consequences of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) dependent coverage provision for the health of U.S. young adults aged\–25. Using data from the Current Population Survey—March Supplement for the years 2007–2012 and ordered logistic regression analyses, we examine self‐rated health and its association with dependent health insurance coverage for 19‐ to 25‐year‐olds and a comparison group of 28‐ to 34‐year‐olds before and after implementation of the ACA. Compared to 28‐ to 34‐year‐olds, results indicate the post‐ACA period (2010–2011) is associated with increased access to dependent health insurance coverage and improved health for young adults aged 19–25 relative to the period before implementation (2008–2009). More than half of the difference in health improvement across age groups can be attributed to changes in dependent coverage. These results are the first to demonstrate a positive health benefit resulting from the implementation of the ACA.
ISSN:0038-0245
1475-682X
DOI:10.1111/soin.12036