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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Costs And Benefits Of Elderly Prescription Drug Coverage: Evidence From Veterans’ Health Care, Melissa Boyle
Costs And Benefits Of Elderly Prescription Drug Coverage: Evidence From Veterans’ Health Care, Melissa Boyle
Economics Department Working Papers
This study tests the impact of a public prescription benefit on Medicare-eligible veterans, utilizing a mid-1990s benefit change in the VA health care system. Using data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, I compare prescription spending and utilization, as well as use of other health services and health outcomes for veterans and non-veterans before and after the VA insurance change. Results show that receipt of a publicly-provided prescription benefit leads to an increase in spending on prescriptions, and simultaneously, a decrease in spending on other medical services. On average, every $1 increase in drug spending is associated with a $6.50 …
Health Insurance And The Labor Supply Decisions Of Older Workers: Evidence From The U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs, Melissa Boyle, Joanna N. Lahey
Health Insurance And The Labor Supply Decisions Of Older Workers: Evidence From The U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs, Melissa Boyle, Joanna N. Lahey
Economics Department Working Papers
This paper exploits a major mid-1990s expansion in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care system to provide evidence on the labor market effects of expanding health insurance availability. Using data from the Current Population Survey, we compare the labor market behavior of older veterans and non-veterans before and after the VA health benefits expansion to test the impact of public health insurance on labor supply. We find that older workers are significantly more likely to decrease work both on the extensive and intensive margins after receiving access to non-employer based insurance. Older workers are also more likely to …