Research

WORKING PAPERS

 

“How does an introduction of premiums into the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) affect labor supply? Evidence from Arizona” [Job Market Paper] [Link]

Health insurance has played a key role in determining an individual’s job choice, retirement plan, and health care utilization. This paper examines the effect of introducing premiums in the Arizona State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in 2004 on the labor supply of adults with children. The results of a difference-in-differences approach indicated that, among Arizona residents with children, men were six percentage points more likely to work and worked 4.5-5.2 more weeks per year after the policy implementation. Also, single women were 13 percentage points more likely to work and worked, on average, an additional 7.2-8.1 weeks per year. On the contrary, married women were 5.2 percentage points less likely to work and worked, on average, 8-9.6 weeks less per year after the policy change as their husbands worked more.

 

“Market Incentives for Safe Foods: An examination of the effect of food recalls on firms’ stock returns” (with professor Kathryn A. Boys)

Food-borne diseases cause 48 million people, one-sixth of the U.S. population, to become sick, 128,000 people to be hospitalized, and 3,000 people to die each year (CDC, 2016). The probability of these incidents can be reduced by food recalls regulated by government agencies. This paper analyzes the effects of food recalls by FDA on the stock returns of firms using the event study method. Cumulative average abnormal returns (CAAR) are estimated for industries and recall classes. Each industry shows a variety of different patterns. The CAAR of Food Manufacturing industry such as ConAgra slightly decreased and recovered its original state. However, the CAAR of Food and Beverage Retailers industry such as Kroger experienced a continual decrease in CAAR over 90 days. Next, class I recalls have a larger impact than do Class II recalls on firms’ valuation.

 

“The Effect of SCHIP Premiums on Medical Utilization, Medical Expenditure, and Health Outcomes in Arizona”

Many Americans in the U.S. cannot afford preventive health services due to economic circumstances (CDC, 2010). The situation is even worse in low-income households. Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) can help millions of low-income people have preventive health care services in order to promote prevention (Medicaid, 2015). I study the effect of an introduction of SCHIP premiums in Arizona on children’s medical utilization, medical expenses, and health outcomes using the triple difference estimation method. The results show that children became less healthy, and they were less likely to receive preventive care services compared to before the policy change. In addition, policy implementation decreased the probability of making any appointments for health care at a doctor’s office or clinic. The implementation is also associated with a decrease in hospital outpatient visits. Lastly, the percent of out-of-pocket costs that a patient has to pay increased.