Project description:ImportanceThe expansion of Medicaid sought to fill gaps in insurance coverage among low-income Americans. Although coverage has improved, little is known about the relationship between Medicaid expansion and breast cancer stage at diagnosis.ObjectiveTo review the association of Medicaid expansion with breast cancer stage at diagnosis and the disparities associated with insurance status, age, and race/ethnicity.Design, setting, and participantsThis cohort study used data from the National Cancer Database to characterize the relationship between breast cancer stage and race/ethnicity, age, and insurance status. Data from 2007 to 2016 were obtained, and breast cancer stage trends were assessed. Additionally, preexpansion years (2012-2013) were compared with postexpansion years (2015-2016) to assess Medicaid expansion in 2014. Data were analyzed from August 12, 2019, to January 19, 2020. The cohort included a total of 1 796 902 patients with primary breast cancer who had private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid or were uninsured across 45 states.Main outcomes and measuresPercent change of uninsured patients with breast cancer and stage at diagnosis, stratified by insurance status, race/ethnicity, age, and state.ResultsThis study included a total of 1 796 902 women. Between 2012 and 2016, 71 235 (4.0%) were uninsured or had Medicaid. Among all races/ethnicities, in expansion states, there was a reduction in uninsured patients from 22.6% (4771 of 21 127) to 13.5% (2999 of 22 150) (P < .001), and in nonexpansion states, there was a reduction from 36.5% (5431 of 14 870) to 35.6% (4663 of 13 088) (P = .12). Across all races, there was a reduction in advanced-stage disease from 21.8% (4603 of 21 127) to 19.3% (4280 of 22 150) (P < .001) in expansion states compared with 24.2% (3604 of 14 870) to 23.5% (3072 of 13 088) (P = .14) in nonexpansion states. In African American patients, incidence of advanced disease decreased from 24.6% (1017 of 4136) to 21.6% (920 of 4259) (P < .001) in expansion states and remained at approximately 27% (27.4% [1220 of 4453] to 27.5% [1078 of 3924]; P = .94) in nonexpansion states. Further analysis suggested that the improvement was associated with a reduction in stage 3 diagnoses.Conclusions and relevanceIn this cohort study, expansion of Medicaid was associated with a reduced number of uninsured patients and a reduced incidence of advanced-stage breast cancer. African American patients and patients younger than 50 years experienced particular benefit. These data suggest that increasing access to health care resources may alter the distribution of breast cancer stage at diagnosis.
Project description:IntroductionHealth insurance expansions may increase early detection of cancer and reduce late-stage cancer incidence. The study assesses the effects of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansions on rates of early- and late-stage cancer diagnosis up to 3 years after implementation.MethodsPopulation-based quasi-experimental analysis of nonelderly adults was conducted in 732 counties from the 2010-2016 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program cancer registry data. Multivariate event study regressions were estimated to compare annual changes in county-level rates of cancer diagnoses in states that expanded Medicaid with those that did not. Data analysis was performed from May to October 2019.ResultsMedicaid expansion was associated with an increase in early-stage cancer diagnoses of 21.3 per 100,000 population (95% CI=2.9, 35.2) or 9.14% of population in its first year; estimates for Years 2 and 3 were also positive but smaller and not statistically significant. There was a marginally significant reduction in late-stage diagnoses of 8.7 per 100,000 population (95% CI= -25.0, 3.4) or 5.7% of population relative to baseline, 3 years after Medicaid expansion. There was no detectable effect of expansion on total diagnoses.ConclusionsMedicaid expansions increased early-stage cancer diagnosis in the first year of expansion, but effects dissipated in subsequent years, suggesting a response to pent-up patient demand for screening and diagnostic services immediately after expansion. There was also suggestive evidence of reductions in late-stage diagnosis in the third year of Medicaid expansion, highlighting the potential role of public health insurance in improving cancer outcomes among nonelderly adults.
Project description:ObjectiveDiabetes is a chronic health condition contributing to a substantial burden of disease. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 10.9 million people were newly insured by Medicaid between 2013 and 2016. Considering this coverage expansion, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could significantly affect people with diabetes in their management of the disease. This study evaluates the impact of the Medicaid expansion under the ACA on diabetes management.Research design and methodsThis study includes 22,335 individuals with diagnosed diabetes from the 2011 to 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. It uses a difference-in-differences approach to evaluate the impact of the Medicaid expansion on self-reported access to health care, self-reported diabetes management, and self-reported health status. Additionally, it performs a triple-differences analysis to compare the impact between Medicaid expansion and nonexpansion states considering diabetes rates of the states.ResultsSignificant improvements in Medicaid expansion states as compared with non-Medicaid expansion states were evident in self-reported access to health care (0.09 score; P = 0.023), diabetes management (1.91 score; P = 0.001), and health status (0.10 score; P = 0.026). Among states with large populations with diabetes, states that expanded Medicaid reported substantial improvements in these areas in comparison with those that did not expand.ConclusionsThe Medicaid expansion has significant positive effects on self-reported diabetes management. While states with large diabetes populations that expanded Medicaid have experienced substantial improvements in self-reported diabetes management, non-Medicaid expansion states with high diabetes rates may be facing health inequalities. The findings provide policy implications for the diabetes care community and policy makers.
Project description:ContextPrior studies demonstrate that Medicaid expansion has been associated with earlier-stage breast cancer diagnosis among women with low income, likely through increased access to cancer screening services. However, how this policy change has impacted geospatial disparities in breast cancer stage at diagnosis is unclear.ObjectiveTo examine whether there were reductions in geospatial disparities in advanced stage breast cancer at diagnosis in Ohio after Medicaid expansion.DesignThe study included 33 537 women aged 40 to 64 years diagnosed with invasive breast cancer from the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System between 2010 and 2017. The space-time scan statistic was used to detect clusters of advanced stage at diagnosis before and after Medicaid expansion. Block group variables from the Census were used to describe the contextual characteristics of detected clusters.ResultsThe percentage of local stage diagnosis among women with breast cancer increased from 60.2% in the pre-expansion period (2010-2013) to 62.6% in the post-expansion period (2014-2017), while the uninsured rate among those women decreased from 13.7% to 7.5% during the same period. Two statistically significant ( P < .05) and 6 nonsignificant spatial clusters ( P > .05) of advanced stage breast cancer cases were found in the pre-expansion period, while none were found in the post-expansion period. These clusters were in the 4 largest metropolitan areas in Ohio, and individuals inside the clusters were more likely to be disadvantaged along numerous socioeconomic factors.ConclusionsMedicaid expansion has played an important role in reducing geospatial disparities in breast cancer stage at diagnosis, likely through the reduction of advanced stage disease among women living in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.
Project description:ImportanceMedicaid expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act led to one of the largest gains in health insurance coverage for nonelderly adults in the United States. However, its association with cardiovascular mortality is unclear.ObjectiveTo investigate the association of Medicaid expansion with cardiovascular mortality rates in middle-aged adults.Design, setting, and participantsThis study used a longitudinal, observational design, using a difference-in-differences approach with county-level data from counties in 48 states (excluding Massachusetts and Wisconsin) and Washington, DC, from 2010 to 2016. Adults aged 45 to 64 years were included. Data were analyzed from November 2018 to January 2019.ExposuresResidence in a Medicaid expansion state.Main outcomes and measuresDifference-in-differences of annual, age-adjusted cardiovascular mortality rates from before Medicaid expansion to after expansion.ResultsAs of 2016, 29 states and Washington, DC, had expanded Medicaid eligibility, while 19 states had not. Compared with counties in Medicaid nonexpansion states, counties in expansion states had a greater decrease in the percentage of uninsured residents at all income levels (mean [SD], 7.3% [3.2%] vs 5.6% [2.7%]; P < .001) and in low income strata (19.8% [5.5%] vs 13.5% [3.9%]; P < .001) between 2010 and 2016. Counties in expansion states had a smaller change in cardiovascular mortality rates after expansion (146.5 [95% CI, 132.4-160.7] to 146.4 [95% CI, 131.9-161.0] deaths per 100 000 residents per year) than counties in nonexpansion states did (176.3 [95% CI, 154.2-198.5] to 180.9 [95% CI, 158.0-203.8] deaths per 100 000 residents per year). After accounting for demographic, clinical, and economic differences, counties in expansion states had 4.3 (95% CI, 1.8-6.9) fewer deaths per 100 000 residents per year from cardiovascular causes after Medicaid expansion than if they had followed the same trends as counties in nonexpansion states.Conclusions and relevanceCounties in states that expanded Medicaid had a significantly smaller increase in cardiovascular mortality rates among middle-aged adults after expansion compared with counties in states that did not expand Medicaid. These findings suggest that recent Medicaid expansion was associated with lower cardiovascular mortality in middle-aged adults and may be of consideration as further expansion of Medicaid is debated.
Project description:MethodsThis retrospective study of 86 413 patients (40-64 years old) undergoing surgical resection for a new diagnosis of invasive, nonmetastatic colon cancer included in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) from 2010 to 2015 compared overall survival (OS) in MES to NES. Cox proportional hazard models, fit for OS, and propensity score-matching (PSM) analysis were performed.ResultsIn this sample, 51 297 cases (59.2%) lived in MES and 35 116 (40.8%) in NES. Medicaid expansion states had earlier pathological stage compared to NES (stage I 25.38% vs 24.17%, stage II 32.93 vs 33.4%, and stage III 41.69 vs 42.43%; P < .001). 5-year OS in MES was higher than NES (79.1% vs 77.3%; P < .001); however, on both multivariable analysis (MVA) and PSM analysis, MES did not have significantly different OS from NES (hazard ratio (HR), .99, 95% confidence interval (CI), .95-1.03; P = .570; HR, .99, 95% CI, .95-1.03; P = .68).ConclusionAmong NCDB patients with invasive, nonmetastatic colon cancer residing in MES at time of diagnosis was associated with earlier pathological stage. However, on both MVA and PSM analysis, OS was not significantly different in MES vs NES. Research on patient outcomes, such as receipt of guideline concordant care, can further inform the impact of insurance coverage expansion efforts on cancer outcomes.
Project description:Importance:In the United States, nonprofit hospitals receive tax-exempt status with the expectation that they provide a high level of benefit to local communities. Prior work has shown that Medicaid expansion reduced hospital spending on uncompensated care. Objective:To measure the association of tax-exempt hospital spending with community benefit and changes in uncompensated care after Medicaid expansion. Design, Setting, and Participants:This cohort study was performed using a difference-in-differences analysis (ie, a pre-post treatment-control design) to estimate changes in reported charitable categories associated with Medicaid expansion. Data from Internal Revenue Service form 990, Schedule H, tax filings for 2253 tax-exempt hospitals in the United States from 2012 to 2016 were used. Data were analyzed from June to November 2019. Exposure:The proportion of the hospital's tax filing that spanned the period after Medicaid expansion. Main Outcomes and Measures:Hospital-reported spending on uncompensated care, unreimbursed Medicaid expenses, and other community benefit spending categories. Results:Across 2253 hospitals, mean (SD) uncompensated care costs between 2012 and 2016 were $4.20 million ($8.80 million) and unreimbursed Medicaid expenses were $7.60 million ($18.62 million). Compared with tax-exempt hospitals in states that did not expand Medicaid, those in states that did expand Medicaid reported mean reductions in their provision of uncompensated care of $1.11 million (95% CI, $0.35 million to $1.87 million; P?<?.001), representing a mean change of -2% (95% CI, -6% to 2%; P?<?.001). These reductions have been offset by mean reported increases in the provision of unreimbursed Medicaid expenses of $1.63 million (95% CI, $0.31 million to $2.94 million; P?=?.02), representing a mean increase of 2% (95% CI, 1% to 4%; P?=?.01). Tax-exempt hospitals in states that expanded Medicaid reported no statistically significant mean increase in spending on other community benefit activities. Conclusions and Relevance:In this study, large decreases in uncompensated care among tax-exempt hospitals associated with Medicaid expansion were not accompanied by increases in other reportable categories of community health benefit spending. Instead, they were accompanied by increased spending on unreimbursed Medicaid expenses.
Project description:BackgroundYoung adults (YAs) experience higher uninsurance rates and more advanced stage at cancer diagnosis than older counterparts. We examined the association of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion with insurance coverage and stage at diagnosis among YAs newly diagnosed with cancer.MethodsUsing the National Cancer Database, we identified 309 413 YAs aged 18-39 years who received a first cancer diagnosis in 2011-2016. Outcomes included percentages of YAs without health insurance at diagnosis, with stage I (early-stage) diagnoses, and with stage IV (advanced-stage) diagnoses. We conducted difference-in-difference (DD) analyses to examine outcomes before and after states implemented Medicaid expansion compared with nonexpansion states. All statistical tests were 2-sided.ResultsThe percentage of uninsured YAs decreased more in expansion than nonexpansion states (adjusted DD = -1.0 percentage points [ppt], 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.4 to -0.7 ppt, P < .001). The overall percentage of stage I diagnoses increased (adjusted DD = 1.4 ppt, 95% CI = 0.6 to 2.2 ppt, P < .001) in expansion compared with nonexpansion states, with greater improvement among YAs in rural areas (adjusted DD = 7.2 ppt, 95% CI = 0.2 to 14.3 ppt, P = .045) than metropolitan areas (adjusted DD = 1.3 ppt, 95% CI = 0.4 to 2.2 ppt, P = .004) and among non-Hispanic Black patients (adjusted DD = 2.2 ppt, 95% CI = -0.03 to 4.4 ppt, P = .05) than non-Hispanic White patients (adjusted DD = 1.4 ppt, 95% CI = 0.4 to 2.3 ppt, P = .008). Despite the non-statistically significant change in stage IV diagnoses overall, the percentage declined more (adjusted DD = -1.2 ppt, 95% CI = -2.2 to -0.2 ppt, P = .02) among melanoma patients in expansion relative to nonexpansion states.ConclusionsWe provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, on the association of Medicaid expansion with shifts to early-stage cancer at diagnosis and a narrowing of rural-urban and Black-White disparities in YA cancer patients.
Project description:ImportanceThe Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act broadened insurance coverage, partially through voluntary state-based Medicaid expansion.ObjectiveTo determine whether patients with higher-risk prostate cancer residing in Medicaid expansion states were more likely to receive treatment after expansion compared with patients in states electing not to pursue Medicaid expansion.Design, setting, and participantsThis population-based cohort study included 15 332 patients diagnosed with higher-risk prostate cancer (ie, grade group >2; grade group 2 with prostate-specific antigen levels >10 ng/mL; or grade group 1 with prostate-specific antigen levels >20 ng/mL) from January 2010 to December 2016 aged 50 to 64 years who were candidates for definitive treatment. Patients residing in states that partially expanded Medicaid coverage before 2010 (ie, California and Connecticut) and those with diagnosis not confirmed by histology were excluded. Data were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Data were analyzed between August and December 2019.ExposureState-level Medicaid expansion status.Main outcomes and measuresInsurance status before and after expansion, treatment with prostatectomy or radiation therapy (including brachytherapy), treatment trends over time.ResultsOf 15 332 patients, 7811 (50.9%) lived in expansion states (mean [SD] age, 59.1 [3.8] years; 5532 [71.9%] non-Hispanic White), and 7521 (49.1%) lived in nonexpansion states (mean [SD] age, 59.0 [3.9] years; 3912 [52.1%] non-Hispanic White). Residence in an expansion state was associated with higher pre-expansion levels of Medicaid coverage (292 [8.1%] vs 161 [3.8%]; odds ratio [OR], 2.12; 95% CI, 1.78 to 2.53) and lower likelihood of being uninsured (136 [3.2%] vs 38 [1.1%]; OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.54). After expansion, there was no difference in trends in treatment receipt between expansion and nonexpansion states (change, -0.39%; 95% CI, -0.11% to 0.28%; P = .25). Patients with private or Medicare coverage were more likely to receive treatment vs those with Medicaid or no coverage across racial/ethnic groups (eg, Black patients with coverage: OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.68 to 3.10; Black patients with no coverage: OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.00; P < .001). Medicaid patients were not more likely to be treated compared with those without insurance (737 [78.8%] vs 435 [79.5%]; OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.25).Conclusions and relevanceIn this cohort study, state-level expansion of Medicaid was associated with increased Medicaid coverage for men with higher-risk prostate tumors but did not appear to affect treatment patterns at a population level. This may be related to the finding that Medicaid coverage was not associated with increased treatment rates compared with those without insurance.
Project description:Importance:Medicaid expansion was widely expected to alleviate the financial stresses faced by hospitals by providing additional revenue in the form of Medicaid reimbursements from patients previously receiving uncompensated care. Among nonprofit hospitals, which receive tax-exempt status in part because of their provision of uncompensated care, Medicaid expansion could have released hospital funds toward other community benefit activities. Objective:To examine changes in nonprofit hospital spending on community benefit activities after Medicaid expansion. Design, Setting, and Participants:This cohort study used difference-in-differences analysis of 1666 US nonprofit hospitals that filed Internal Revenue Service Form 990 Schedule H detailing their community benefit expenditures between 2011 and 2017. The analysis was conducted from February to September 2019. Exposures:State Medicaid expansion between 2011 and 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures:Percentage of hospital operating expenditures attributable to charity care and subsidized care, bad debt (ie, unreimbursed spending for care of patients who did not apply for charity care), unreimbursed Medicaid spending, noncare direct community spending, and total community benefit spending. Results:Of 1478 hospitals in the sample in 2011, nearly half (653 [44.2%]) were small hospitals with fewer than 100 beds, and nearly 70% of hospitals (1023 [69.2%]) were in urban areas. Among the 1666 nonprofit hospitals, Medicaid expansion was associated with a decrease in spending on charity care and subsidized care (-0.68 [95% CI, -0.99 to -0.37] percentage points from a baseline mean [SD] of 3.6% [4.0%] of total hospital expenditures; P?<?.001) and in bad debt (-0.17 [95% CI, -0.32 to -0.01] percentage points). There was an increase in unreimbursed spending attributable to caring for Medicaid patients (0.85 [95% CI, 0.60 to 1.10] percentage points; P?=?.04), which canceled out uncompensated care savings from the expansion. Noncare direct community expenditures decreased overall (-0.24 [95% CI, -0.48 to 0.00] percentage points; P?=?.049). Direct community expenditures remained more stable in small hospitals (-0.07 [95% CI, -0.20 to 0.05] percentage points; P?=.26) compared with large hospitals (-0.37 [95% CI, -0.86 to 0.12] percentage points; P?=?.14) and in nonurban hospitals (0.02 [95% CI, -0.09 to 0.14] percentage points; P?=?.70) compared with urban hospitals (-0.36 [95% CI, -0.73 to 0.01] percentage points; P?=?.06). Conclusions and Relevance:In this study, Medicaid expansion was associated with a decrease in nonprofit hospitals' burden of providing uncompensated care, but this financial relief was not redirected toward spending on other community benefits.