Making Time for Well-Baby Care: The Effect of Maternal Employment and Paid and Unpaid Time Off

Mary Hamman, Michigan State University

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends children receive eight well-baby visits before their second birthday. By 18 months, the average baby has received fewer than three. Cost sharing under public and private insurance is very low. The fact that compliance rates are low despite the low cost of care suggests other factors, such as time costs, may be important. This paper examines relationships between well-baby care and maternal employment status using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Results suggest full time work may reduce the amount of care received, but there is no evidence of a significant relationship between mother's access to paid leave and receipt of care.