Immigration Status and Health Expenditures: Understanding Patterns and Disparities in the United States

Background and Purpose:

This study investigates the association between immigration status and annual healthcare expenditures in the United States post-2011, addressing the critical gap in the literature regarding healthcare spending patterns among immigrant populations. The primary objective is to understand the relationships between immigration status, demographic factors, and public assistance programs, with the aim of informing policy interventions to mitigate healthcare disparities and promote equitable access to healthcare services.

Methods:

Utilizing data from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) within the Medical Expenditure Panel Study (MEPS), a sample of 225,140 participants was analyzed. Participants aged 16 and above were included in the study, and data collection procedures encompassed a longitudinal survey approach spanning from 2011 through 2021. Measures included immigration status, demographic variables (age, education level, household income), participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and annual healthcare expenditures. Statistical analyses employed descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to examine associations and moderation effects.

Results:

Findings reveal that immigrants and low-income individuals exhibit lower annual healthcare expenditures compared to U.S. citizens and high-income counterparts. Age emerged as a significant moderator, with older individuals demonstrating higher healthcare expenditures, while higher education levels attenuated this relationship. Participation in SNAP was associated with increased healthcare spending, indicating complex interactions between economic assistance programs and healthcare expenditures. Ethnic and racial disparities further influenced healthcare spending patterns, with Hispanics and Black or African American individuals allocating a larger proportion of their income towards healthcare.

Conclusions and Implications:

The study underscores the multifaceted determinants of healthcare expenditure among immigrant populations and highlights the need for targeted policy interventions. By illustrating demographic factors, public assistance programs, and moderators such as age and education, this research informs strategies to reduce healthcare disparities and enhance access to healthcare services. Implications for practice include the development of age-specific healthcare interventions and the diversification of public assistance programs to address healthcare affordability challenges. Moreover, the study underscores the importance of further research to explore the impact of immigration duration and other welfare programs on healthcare expenditure among immigrant populations.