Health uninsurance premium and mortgage interest rates

I show that lenders charge higher interest rates on mortgage-financed houses in areas with a higher rate of health uninsurance to protect themselves against a potential future bankruptcy of the borrower caused by health uninsurance. The health uninsurance premium is higher for applicants who are more likely to file for bankruptcy and for mortgage-financed houses in areas where there are greater benefits to obtaining insurance or where there is a higher percentage of uninsured people who cannot afford insurance. The premium is lower following the implementation of the requirement to have qualifying health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act.