The Relationship Between States’ Immigrant-Related Policies and Access to Health Care Among Children of Immigrants

Abstract

States vary in their participation in federal immigration enforcement, leading to differing state-level policy contexts that profoundly shape the lives of immigrants. This paper examines the effects of sanctuary policies and driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants on immigrants’ children’s access to preventative healthcare. The 2008–2016 Medical Panel Expenditure Survey merged with state-level policy data were analyzed using a difference-in-difference OLS regression. Outcome variables included whether the child had a usual source of care, any unmet medical needs, or a well child check-up. State driver’s license and sanctuary policies were associated with having a usual source of care and fewer unmet medical needs among children of immigrants. The recent pandemic highlights the importance of access to preventative health care. State policies that limit federal immigration enforcement involvement are associated with improved access to preventative health services among immigrants’ children, most of whom are U.S. citizens.

Driver's licences for undocumented immigrants and post‐mortem organ donation

“…Issuing DLs to undocumented immigrants affects a range of outcomes, such as labour market conditions, car insurance coverage, traffic safety, and healthcare access of immigrants (Cáceres and Jameson 2015;Lueders et al 2017;Amuedo-Dorantes et al 2020;Churchill et al 2020;Koball and Hartig 2020). Cáceres and Jameson (2015) provide evidence by suggesting that DLUs could only increase road safety conditions and therefore reduce the rate of organ donors related to motor vehicle accidents (MVAs).…”

“…2020; Churchill et al . 2020; Koball and Hartig 2020). Our study provides empirical evidence on an additional benefit of DLU laws by identifying an unintended outcome of increased supply of post‐mortem organs.…”

“…2020; Churchill et al . 2020; Koball and Hartig 2020). Cáceres and Jameson (2015) provide evidence by suggesting that DLUs could only increase road safety conditions and therefore reduce the rate of organ donors related to motor vehicle accidents (MVAs).…”

“…However, several studies have identified a variety of outcomes associated with granting DL privileges to undocumented immigrants. These outcomes include benefits realized through improvements in road safety, car insurance coverage, and labour supply of undocumented workers (Cáceres and Jameson 2015;Lueders et al 2017;Amuedo-Dorantes et al 2020;Churchill et al 2020;Koball and Hartig 2020). Our study provides empirical evidence on an additional benefit of DLU laws by identifying an unintended outcome of increased supply of post-mortem organs.…”