Kosali Simon

Kosali Simon is a health economist and Indiana University Distinguished Professor, Herman B Wells Endowed Professor, Paul O’Neill Chair, and Associate Vice Provost for Health Sciences. Her work focuses on health economics and policy, including insurance access, healthcare utilization, pricing, federal and state policy, and health and labor market outcomes.

GLP-1s Are Reshaping Consumer Spending and Employer Health Benefits

A panel at Aspen Ideas: Health argued that GLP-1 drugs are becoming an economic force well beyond pharmaceuticals, changing what households buy while forcing employers, insurers, public programs, pharmacy benefit managers and manufacturers to rethink access to expensive chronic-care medicines. PwC’s Ali Furman pointed to spending shifts in groceries, restaurants, apparel and travel; Eli Lilly’s Laura Steele described new direct-to-consumer and employer channels built around demand; and economist Kosali Simon cautioned that the benefits may not show up simply as lower medical costs.

The Aspen InstituteJun 24, 202619 min read