Saying, "I Don't" The Effect of the Affordable Care Act Young Adult Provision on Marriage

This paper investigates the effect of the Affordable Care Act young adult provision on the propensity to marry. The young adult provision expanded options for obtaining insurance coverage outside of marriage. Young adults affected by the provision might have less incentive to marry since one avenue for obtaining health insurance coverage is through marriage. This paper examines this question by applying difference-in-differences-type methods using the 2008-2013 American Community Survey. Results suggest that the provision is associated with decreases in the likelihood of marrying, cohabitation, and spousal health insurance coverage and an increase in the probability of divorce.