Work

Parents' legal status and children's health insurance: Evidence from DACA

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Fear of immigration enforcement may deter undocumented parents from enrolling their US‐born children in public health insurance. This paper examines the effect of providing legal status to parents through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on health insurance among US‐born children. Using a regression discontinuity design, I find DACA eligibility among likely undocumented mothers increases Medicaid enrollment for US‐born children by five percentage points. I find no similar evidence among those with likely undocumented fathers. The estimates are local to individuals near the age threshold. There is suggestive evidence of heterogeneity in effects across groups of DACA‐eligible mothers.

Source: Contemporary Economic Policy

DOI: 10.1111/coep.70009

Author: Nhan Tran

Institution: University of Pittsburgh

Language: English

Topic: Healthcare Policy and Management

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,970