Pathways between Minimum Wages and Health: The Roles of Health Insurance, Health Care Access and Health Care Utilization

Abstract

This study contributes to recent work on the relationship between minimum wages and health by examining potential mechanisms. Specifically, the roles of health and dental insurance, health care access and utilization are explored. By estimating both DD and DDD models, the study shows that higher minimum wages increase health insurance coverage, in particular individually purchased insurance, among low-educated individuals. Additionally, I find evidence for improvements in health care access and increased health care utilization following minimum wage increases. The effects are largest for low-educated individuals between the ages 18 to 29, the group that is most likely earn minimum wages.

Keywords: Minimum Wages, Health, Pathways, Health Care Access, Health Care Utilization

JEL Classification: I1, I12, I13, J38