How does access to public health insurance affect savings? Evidence from a distributional regression approach

Abstract

This thesis investigates the impact of public health insurance access on savings, using a distri- butional regression approach. By analyzing Medicaid eligibility and coverage data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) and Current Population Survey (CPS) databases, the study examines how changes in Medicaid coverage influence individual savings across different wealth levels. The research highlights the varying effects of Medicaid coverage on savings, empha- sizing significant differences between lower and higher saving groups. The findings suggest that Medicaid coverage positively impacts savings for the poorest individuals while negatively affecting middle-income groups. These results provide insights for policymakers regarding the implications of Medicaid expansion on inequality among the net worth distribution.