Press Releases
CHICAGO, June 3, 2023 — A new study led by researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) shows Medicaid expansion improved treatment timelines and survival rates for newly diagnosed HER2-enriched breast cancer patients. These conclusions are consistent with improved access to care and outcomes for other cancers attributed to Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. The findings will be presented at this year’s annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago, June 2-6.
In the study, researchers, led by Kewei (Sylvia) Shi, associate scientist, health services research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study, used 2010-2018 data from the National Cancer Database to identify adult women aged 18-62 years newly diagnosed with HER2-enriched breast cancer and compared the women’s outcomes in states that had expanded Medicare under the Affordable Care Act and those that had not.
The study results showed that Medicaid expansion was associated with an increase in chemotherapy and targeted therapies for stage IV cancers, initiating appropriate treatment within 60 days, and an increase in the two-year survival rate. The increase in two-year survival associated with Medicaid expansion was most prominent for stage III patients.
Study findings illuminate the impact of different state and national health policies on access to care, service utilization, and outcomes.
# # #
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 100 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.