Expanding Medicaid coverage may lead to higher cancer survival rates among young people, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Research shows that states that expand Medicaid to cover most adults who make up 138% of the Federal Poverty Level have seen increased two-year cancer survival rates compared to states. does not extend Medicaid. Forty states, including the District of Columbia, have expanded Medicaid.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in 18 to 39 year olds. More than 80,000 people in this age group are newly diagnosed in 2020.
“Historically, young people have not experienced improvements in ability to function,” said Xu Ji, a researcher at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute, assistant professor of pediatrics and lead author of the study. survival is similar to that of pediatric or adult cancer patients.
Ji, a professor at Emory University School of Medicine, said one reason for the disparity is the lack of health insurance. That’s why expanding Medicaid has the potential to improve outcomes for cancer patients.
Most young people are not screened regularly for most cancers. For example, doctors don’t recommend regular colonoscopy until you turn 45.
“This population does not have any form of routine screening,” said Dr. Sharon Castellino, pediatric hematologist/oncologist, professor of pediatrics and researcher at Winship. “They are also young people, commuting and working or just starting to become parents and are transient, and may not be seeking health insurance on a regular basis, because in general, they should be a healthy population.”
Because of this, when young people are diagnosed with cancer, it tends to be at a more advanced stage. More advanced cancers have lower survival rates.
The expansion of Medicaid is of particular great benefit to minority groups, especially Black and Hispanic patients. These groups were more likely to have no health insurance before the expansion and begin to have worse cancer outcomes.
“Because of the disparity among minority patients, they will have a better chance of improvement when a policy like this goes into effect,” said Ji.
In addition to helping people access cancer treatments, Medicaid expansion also gives young people better access to routine preventive care, which could lead to the development of cancer, says Castellino. show cancer earlier. The authors say the study is evidence that young adults and their families should do their best to sign up for health insurance, even if they don’t currently have health problems.
“Our study provides further data showing that Medicaid expansion is effective in saving lives and improving overall survival among young patients with this cancer,” said Ji.
According to a study published in the journal Health Affairs, the expansion of Medicaid is also associated with a reduction in hospital admissions among pregnant women.
Maria Steenland, assistant professor at Brown University and co-author of the study, said: “Our findings indicate that expanding Medicaid coverage has improved postpartum health for those who are pregnant. low-income childbearing.
Each state runs its own Medicaid program, so eligibility will vary, especially in the 11 states that have not yet expanded Medicaid to cover all adults earning below a certain income threshold. Age, disability, pregnancy status, household size, and other factors can also help you qualify for Medicaid.
As of September, more than 90 million Americans were enrolled in Children’s Health Plans or Medicaid, thanks in part to loosened eligibility rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. But millions of people could lose coverage in April as pre-pandemic enrollment rules roll back. [1]
