Healthcare and Housing: Analyzing the Affordable Care Act's Impact on Eviction Rates
Open Access
Author:
Hanna, Andrew J
Area of Honors:
Economics
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Paul L E Grieco, Thesis Supervisor Russell Paul Chuderewicz, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Health Care Medicaid Affordable Housing Housing Difference in Difference Fixed Effects
Abstract:
I use formal eviction records and demographic data to quantify the impact of federally subsidized Medicaid insurance on county level eviction rates. In 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) gave states the choice to expand Medicaid to a low-income and previously ineligible segment of the population. In providing insurance against health shocks, ACA expansion may reduce the prevalence of adverse financial shocks that lead to eviction. I use this policy to create a quasi-natural research design in which expansionary status determines treatment and control groups. Using a difference in difference estimation technique, I estimate that ACA expansion led to an average 10% decrease in yearly eviction rates between 2014 and 2016. Had all states expanded ACA Medicaid in 2014, I estimate that policy would have prevented a total of 283,360 evictions between that year and 2016. My analysis is particularly interesting for policy makers as it presents unintended benefits of the ACA. It adds academic value to the existing health insurance literature and is a strong addition to the currently limited but burgeoning field of eviction research.
