The Causal Effect of Scaling up Access to Psychotherapy
利用丹麦2008年医保改革，研究为18-37岁抑郁或焦虑患者提供60%心理治疗报销的因果效应，发现其减少了精神科住院、躯体医疗使用和自杀企图，但对劳动力市场无影响，且节省的医疗成本超过政策成本。
Abstract This paper estimates the causal effect of scaling up access to psychotherapy. I study a 2008 reform of the Danish public health insurance, which introduced 60% coverage for psychotherapy by private practice psychologists for patients aged 18–37 diagnosed with depression or anxiety. Using administrative data from 1995–2019 and quasi-experimental methods, I show that psychotherapy coverage reduces psychiatric hospital contacts, physical health care use, and suicide attempts, but has no effect on labor market outcomes, including employment or disability pension. Still, savings from reduced use of other health care services exceed policy costs, making it both cost-reducing and welfare-improving.