Participation in Social Security and Effects on Health Services Expenditures

Abstract

This paper investigates for Mexico the determinants of participacion of individuals in social security, and the expenditures on health services. For large households, female workers are more likely to become affiliated with social security, while among the unionized, males are more likely affiliated. Among non-workers, participation in social insurance increases with wealth, education, living in a northern state, having an uncertain own income but a higher household income. Families protected by health insurance spend much more on health services than the uninsured. Females spend more than men on health services out of marginal income (14 vs. 7% out of wage income, and 19% vs. nothing out of non-wage income).

Keywords: Health expenditures, health insurance, social security

JEL Classification: I18, O17