Who gets early access to limited health care and why
Tradeoffs in the Distribution of a Scarce Health Resource: Evidence from a Large Randomized Natural Experiment
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11180454
This project looks at how giving some patients early access to a limited health resource changes who uses it and how it affects their health and finances.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11180454 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers compare people who were randomly given early access to a scarce health resource with those who were not, using years of medical records and surveys from Michigan Medicine. They will track who took up the resource across different health, demographic, and social groups and study what factors (like existing health conditions, behaviors, or living conditions) help explain those differences. The team will also see how the mix of treated patients changes as more people get access, and whether those changes change health or economic outcomes over time. Results will be shared so health systems can use the findings to plan fairer distribution when resources are limited.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who were eligible for the scarce resource through Michigan Medicine during the randomized rollout and who have medical records or survey data in that system.
Not a fit: People who were never treated or tracked in the Michigan Medicine system, or whose care does not involve scarce resources, are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help hospitals and policymakers design fairer ways to distribute limited treatments so more people benefit and health gaps shrink.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior research has examined access and equity, but using a large randomized rollout with long-term medical record follow-up is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR — ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KOWALSKI, AMANDA ELLEN — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- Study coordinator: KOWALSKI, AMANDA ELLEN
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 below.