Medicaid and cancer disparities: the need for comprehensive research data sets

Individuals with low socioeconomic status and racial/ethnic minorities experience significant cancer disparities. They are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage disease and experience lower survival rates, even when stage at diagnosis is taken into account. Low-income individuals, who are disproportionately racial minorities, are historically more likely to be enrolled in Medicaid and this proportion is increasing with the implementation of the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Only a limited number of studies have attempted to assess cancer screening and treatments provided to Medicaid enrollees. Creating standardized, prelinked cancer registry and Medicaid administrative data, similar to data available for the Medicare program, is essential to spur on research to understand the role of Medicaid in eliminating cancer disparities.