Pre-Release Medicaid and Youth Substance-Use Care after Release
Official title: Pre-Release Medicaid Effects on Youth Experiences Related to Substances (PRiME YEaRS)
Funded at Boston Medical Center · NIH-11457595 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how Medicaid coverage before release from incarceration affects access to behavioral health services for youth who have a history of substance use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $870,407 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA067138-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11457595 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Youth aged 16-25 who are leaving incarceration and are eligible for Medicaid in Oregon, including former foster youth 18-25.
✕Less likely to help
Youth outside the 16-25 age range or not transitioning from incarceration may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
For youth ages 16 to 25 leaving jail or prison, gaining timely Medicaid coverage and connection to care can be hard, and gaps can put them at higher risk for substance-use problems. The study will use linked state data from Oregon to understand how pre-release Medicaid policies influence access to screenings, diagnosis, and post-release case management. By examining real-world records, researchers aim to identify policy gaps and opportunities to help youth get the care they need during a critical transition. The goal is to provide evidence that can inform policies to reduce health risks after release and improve substance-use outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could guide policies that help youth secure timely Medicaid coverage and connect to vital behavioral health services after release.
How similar studies have gone: This approach builds on existing work using large administrative data to inform health policy, with potential for similar methods to confirm findings in other states.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Galbraith, Alison a — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Galbraith, Alison a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.