Medicaid Coverage Expansion and Implications for Cancer Disparities

We estimated the impact on cancer disparities in US states that have chosen or not chosen to expand Medicaid since passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Data came from the 2013 Uniform Data System for colorectal and cervical cancer screening rates among patients of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs); the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer screening rates; and the US Cancer Statistics (2007-2011) for colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs). Dyads of Medicaid expansion decisions with cancer screening rates and MIRs were mapped using ArcMap.

States that had not expanded Medicaid as of September 2014 had lower cancer screening rates, especially among FQHC patients. Overall, cancer MIRs were not significantly different by Medicaid expansion status. However, Southeastern states without Medicaid expansion tended to have higher cancer MIRs and lower screening rates.

Disparities in cancer screening that already disfavor states with high cancer rates may widen in states that have not chosen to expand Medicaid unless significant efforts are mounted to ensure their residents obtain preventive health care.