How does law change society? In the rational actor model, law affects behavior only by changing incentives and information-the command and coordination function of law. Under the view that humans are social animals, law is also a guidepost for social norms that regulate behavior-the expressive...

This paper uses the roll-out of the national health insurance in Ghana to assess the cushioning effect of coverage on the financial consequences of health shocks and resulting changes in coping behaviors. The analysis finds a strong reduction in medical expenditures, preventing households from...