Obamacare and the Fight Against Income Inequality

Authors

Perry T. Mindo Jr, Moravian CollegeFollow

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the Affordable Care Act to determine the magnitude and significance of its effects on income inequality in America. Specifically, we find that the ACA decreased the Gini coefficient by 0.67% and reduced the share of income held by the top 20 percent of income earners by 0.67% over the time period of our study. Furthermore, we estimate that the ACA accounts for a redistribution of approximately $13 billion from the top 20 percent of income earners to the bottom 80 percent of income earners.

Recommended Citation

Mindo, Perry T. Jr (2016) "Obamacare and the Fight Against Income Inequality," Undergraduate Economic Review: Vol. 13: Iss. 1, Article 19.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/vol13/iss1/19