Can Human Capital Explain the Difference in Private Health Insurance Coverage Rates between Natives and Immigrants?

Authors

Benjamin S. White, Illinois Wesleyan UniversityFollow

Abstract

This paper investigates how human capital variables, especially educational attainment and health disability, affect an immigrant’s probability to have private health insurance. Specifically, is there a convergence to natives’ coverage rates for immigrants as human capital is controlled for? Two probit regressions are used to answer this question, one to analyze the employer provided health insurance market and another to analyze privately purchased health insurance market. The principle finding is that human capital variables are important in determining access to private health insurance. However, a health insurance coverage differential does remain between immigrants and natives.

Recommended Citation

White, Benjamin S. (2013) "Can Human Capital Explain the Difference in Private Health Insurance Coverage Rates between Natives and Immigrants?," Undergraduate Economic Review: Vol. 10: Iss. 1, Article 13.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/vol10/iss1/13