Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansions and the nurse labor market

Shortages in healthcare labor markets were a major concern voiced by critics of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Using a difference-in-differences strategy, I find the 2014 ACA Medicaid expansions increased the average workweek by 30 min for registered nurses (RNs) and 50 min for licensed practical nurses (LPNs), driven by an increase in full-time work. RNs and LPNs were 3 and 5 percentage points more likely to work full-time, respectively, due to the Medicaid expansions. There is little evidence of increased nurse employment on the extensive margin.