Examining the Affordable Care Act's impact on health disparities in older adults

The Affordable Care Act’s Role in Aging Disparities Before and After Medicare Eligibility

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11076810

This study looks at how the Affordable Care Act has helped older adults, especially those from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, by checking if having access to health coverage like Medicaid and Marketplace plans has improved their health.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-11076810 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has influenced health disparities among older adults, particularly focusing on racial and ethnic differences. It aims to understand whether access to ACA coverage, such as Medicaid and Marketplace plans, has improved health outcomes for middle-aged adults and subsequently affected older adults aged 65 and above. The study employs advanced statistical methods to analyze data before and after the ACA's implementation, comparing outcomes across different racial and ethnic groups. By identifying critical periods and factors that contribute to health disparities, the research seeks to inform future healthcare policies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include older adults aged 65 and above, especially those from Black and Hispanic communities.

Not a fit: Patients under the age of 65 or those not belonging to racial or ethnic minority groups may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved healthcare access and outcomes for older adults, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that healthcare coverage expansions can reduce disparities, suggesting that this approach may yield significant insights.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.