Working Paper: NBER ID: w30770
Authors: Pinka Chatterji; Hanna Glenn; Sara Markowitz; Jennifer Karas Montez
Abstract: In this paper, we test whether the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansions are associated with in-hospital maternal morbidity. The ACA expansions may have affected maternal morbidity by increasing pre-conception access to health care, and by improving the quality of delivery care through enhancing hospitals’ financial positions. We use difference-in-difference models in conjunction with event studies. Data come from individual-level birth certificates and state-level hospital discharge data. The results show little evidence that the expansions are associated with overall maternal morbidity or indicators of specific adverse events including eclampsia, ruptured uterus, and unplanned hysterectomy. The results are consistent with prior research showing that the ACA Medicaid expansions are not statistically associated with pre-pregnancy health or maternal health during pregnancy. Our results add to this story and find little evidence of improvements in maternal health upon delivery.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: H01; I11
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| ACA Medicaid expansions (I18) | severe maternal morbidity (SMM) (I12) |
| ACA Medicaid expansions (I18) | increased preconception access to healthcare (I14) |
| ACA Medicaid expansions (I18) | improved quality of in-hospital care (I11) |
| increased preconception access to healthcare (I14) | severe maternal morbidity (SMM) (I12) |
| improved quality of in-hospital care (I11) | severe maternal morbidity (SMM) (I12) |