Is Medicaid Expansion Narrowing Gaps in Surgical Disparities for Low-Income Breast Cancer Patients?

ABSTRACT:

Background

The objective of this study is to understand the effect of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on patterns of surgical care among low-income breast cancer patients. Emerging literature suggests cancer patients in Medicaid expansion states are presenting with earlier stages of disease. However, less is known regarding the implications of Medicaid expansion on patterns of surgical care in low-income women.

Patients and methods

We compared nonmetastatic 30-64-year-old uninsured or Medicaid-insured Ohio breast cancer patients diagnosed 4 years before and 4 years after the state's 2014 Medicaid expansion (study group); the control group was the privately insured. Time-to-surgery (TTS) was defined as days from diagnosis to surgery. Demographic and tre

SUBMITTER: Obeng-Gyasi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9143974 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature