Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansions and maternal morbidity

Pinka Chatterji, Hanna Glenn, Sara Markowitz, Jennifer Karas Montez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In this paper, we test whether the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansions are associated with 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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2334-2352
Number of pages19
JournalHealth Economics (United Kingdom)
Volume32
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Affordable Care Act
  • Medicaid
  • severe maternal morbidity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy

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