Universal Health Coverage in The United States and COVID-19
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2022-07-14
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en
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This paper researches the effect of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) on COVID-19 infections, mortality and vaccination rates, specifically for the case of the United States, to test whether States with more UHC components have different COVID-19 outcomes. The paper does so by comparing Medicaid Expansion States to non-Expansion States, using CDC data for COVID-19 outcomes. A maximum likelihood estimator was used to estimate a linear regression model.
States with more UHC components overall have fewer COVID-19 cases, but this also depends on the number of doctors relative to the population. Such an effect is not visible on fatalities. Physician density is an important indicator for fatalities, but this also depends on access to healthcare (UHC). Overall, vaccination-levels measured over time have a significant effect on both cases and fatalities. Being fully vaccinated has a stronger and larger effect on cases and fatalities than receiving only one vaccine. Furthermore, States with more UHC components have higher vaccination rates over time. The physician density was also an important indicator for vaccinations.
Therefore, whereas Universal Health Coverage is important and can make a difference in COVID-19 outcomes and vaccination rates, it is important not to overlook issues such as lacking medical capacity.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen