Health Insurance and Mortality at Older Adulthood in the 21st Century

This project analyzes how the relationship between health insurance coverage, income, race, and mortality has changed since 2005. It is an historical period that encompasses the Great Recession, the Medicaid expansions of the Affordable Care Act, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The study focuses on health insurance coverage in the lifecycle period between mid-life and older ages, as people approach and then transition into Medicare eligibility at age 65. We consider the role of job losses during the Great Recession; geographic variations in coverage due to state-specific Medicaid policies, Medicaid expansions, and other influences over time; and the health care capacity challenges and coverage changes of the COVID-19 pandemic.