A new argument for ACA, and how ACA interacts with disability insurance

This paper examines the effects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by considering a dynamic interaction between extending health insurance coverage and the demand for federal disability insurance. This paper extends the Bewley-Huggett-Aiyagari incomplete markets model by endogenizing health accumulation and disability decisions. The model suggests that the ACA will reduce the fraction of working-age people receiving disability benefits by 1 percentage point. In turn, the changes associated with disability decisions will help fund 47 percent of the ACA’s cost. Last, compared to the ACA, an alternative plan without Medicaid expansion will reduce tax burdens and improve welfare.

The pointer is from the excellent Kevin Lewis. I have not yet read the piece but thought it of sufficient interest to pass along right away.