An econometric analysis of the demand for private health insurance in England and Wales

This paper discusses the nature of demand for private health, insurance in a health care market in which the consumer can neither opt out of tax payments for nor lose his entitlement to public health care. A single equation econometric model of the demand for private health cover is estimated using the 1982 General Household Survey. The results indicate that income and employment status are significant determinants of the probability of health insurance purchase