Joelle Abramowitz, an economist with the U-M Institute for Social Research, examined the extent to which the expansion alleviated the burden of out-of-pocket costs of getting health insurance and then using it. These include costs such as monthly premiums, doctor’s visit copays and copays for medication, medical supplies and vision aids such as glasses or contacts.The study found that those living in states that expanded Medicaid were less likely to pay premiums for their Medicare insurance. These residents also saw their out-of-pocket medical expenses such as copays decrease.”I studied people who were near or below the poverty level, who could do a lot with that money,” said Abramowitz, an assistant research scientist with ISR’s Survey Research Center. “On the other hand, if this leads people to seek care they wouldn’t have sought before, they may end up spending more.”

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