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Lindsey Rose Bullinger

Associate Professor of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology
Chapter Member: Georgia SSN

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About Lindsey

Bullinger's research focuses on the role of public policy in child well-being and family stability. Overarching themes in Bullinger's writings include the role of macro-level factors in promoting child health and well-being, the effect of public policy on fertility and maternal health, and quantitative techniques to encourage data-driven policymaking.

Contributions

Publications

"Effects of Parental Public Health Insurance Eligibility on Parent and Child Health Outcomes" (with Maithreyi Gopalan and Caitlin McPherranLombardi). Economics & Human Biology 44 (2022).

Finds that parents' self-reported health status improved significantly post-expansion in states that expanded Medicaid through the ACA by 4 percentage points (p < 0.05), a 4.7% improvement. Discovers no significant changes in children's use of routine doctor visits or parents' assessment of their children's health status. Observes modest decreases in children's body mass index (BMI) of about 2%.

"Prescription Contraceptive Sales Following the Affordable Care Act" (with Kosali Simon). Maternal and Child Health Journal 23, no. 5 (May 2019): 657–666.

Examines trends in prescription contraceptive sales following the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) zero-copayment contraceptive coverage mandate in areas more likely to be affected by the provision relative to areas less likely to be affected. Compares sales of the intrauterine device (IUD), implant, injectable, pill, ring, and patch in states that had a state-level insurance coverage mandate before the ACA relative to states that did not. 

"Effect of the Affordable Care Act on Breastfeeding Outcomes " (with Tami Gurley-Calvez and Kandice A. Kapinos). American Journal of Public Health 108, no. 2 (2018): 277-283.

Evaluates the effect of the Affordable Care Act's breast pump health insurance coverage mandate on breastfeeding duration. Finds the ACA mandate increased breastfeeding duration and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding among the eligible population.

"Lactation Support Services and Breastfeeding Initiation: Evidence from the Affordable Care Act" (with Kandice A. Kapinos and Tami Gurley-Calvez). Health Services Research 52, no. 6 (December 2017): 2175-2196.

Studies the effect of the Affordable Care Act's lactation services and supplies mandate on breastfeeding initiation. Finds the ACA mandate increased the probability of breastfeeding, particularly among disadvantaged mothers.

"The Effect of Minimum Wages on Adolescent Fertility: A Nationwide Analysis" American Journal of Public Health 107, no. 3 (2017): 447-452.

Evaluates the effect of state minimum wages on adolescent fertility. Finds that increasing the state's minimum wage reduces adolescent birth rates, especially among White and Hispanic adolescents.

"Money Matters: Does the Minimum Wage Affect Child Maltreatment Rates?" (with Kerri M. Raissian). Children and Youth Services Review 72 (January 2017): 60-70.

Evaluates the effect of state minimum wages on child maltreatment rates. Finds that increasing the state's minimum wage reduces reports of child maltreatment, particularly for neglect.

"WIC Participation and Maternal Behavior: Breastfeeding and Work Leave" (with Tami Gurley-Calvez). Contemporary Economic Policy 34, no. 1 (January 2016): 158-172.

Evaluates the effect of participating in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program on maternal behaviors. Finds WIC increases maternity leave duration and reduces exclusive breastfeeding duration.