Project Grant R01DK141885

This Project Grant award, with a total funding of $734,379, was provided by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847). The overall objective is to measure the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act's $35 cap on monthly insulin out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries, including changes in insulin access, glycemic control, and health outcomes, as well as any unintended consequences such as higher Part D plan premiums or fewer insulins covered. The project will use nationwide Medicare data and electronic medical records to evaluate the policy's effects, including potential disparities by race/ethnicity and income. A sub-award to the University of Southern California will provide advisory support and analytical guidance to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the primary grantee. The expected outcomes include identifying mechanisms through which out-of-pocket caps impact insulin access and health outcomes, informing future policy to improve equity in insulin affordability.