Healthy to Work: The Impact of Free Public Healthcare on Health Status and Labor Supply in Jamaica

Abstract

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Universal Public Health Insurance, Adult Status, and Labour Supply in Jamaica

“…Indeed, the likelihood of working less than 35 hours per week had a negative effect of three percentage points, while the likelihood of working full time (35 hours or more) increased by three percentage points (Beuermann and Pecha, 2016). For the previous estimates to constitute mainly a labour supply effect there must not have been differential increases in labour demand for uninsured relative to insured individuals.…”

“…In this study, we report findings of Beuermann and Pecha (2016) where the authors examine whether the introduction of universal free public healthcare in Jamaica in April 2008 affected health outcomes and labour supply of individuals between 21 and 64 years of age. In terms of health status, findings indicate that the likelihood of suffering illnesses associated with loss of normal days decreased by two percentage points (or 28.6 percent with respect to the baseline mean).…”

California Universal Health Care Bill: an economic stimulus and life-saving proposal

“…For instance, the introduction of universal healthcare in Jamaica reduced sick days by 34%, and overall achieved productivity gains that more than recouped the healthcare expenditure. 11 In the US, colorectal cancer is responsible for over $US 15.3 billion in productivity losses annually. 12 These losses are cost-effectively reduced by screening, which the vast majority of uninsured people do not receive.…”

Universal Public Health Insurance, Adult Status, and Labour Supply in Jamaica

“…Our main findings suggest the no-user-fee policy caused a reduced likelihood of suffering illnesses associated with inability to carry out normal activities equivalent to two percentage points (or 28.6 percent with respect to the baseline mean). At the intensive margin, we find that the number of days where people were unable to perform normal activities due to illnesses suffered within the 1 All effects reported in this Policy Brief were obtained from Beuermann and Pecha (2016). They employ a difference-in-differences strategy that compares health status and labour market outcomes between uninsured and insured individuals, before and after policy implementation.…”