Medicaid Expansion and Place-Based Disparities in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Survival

Is Medicaid expansion associated with reduced place-based disparities in insurance coverage, early-stage diagnosis, and survival of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)? In this cohort study that included 303 503 patients with NSCLC diagnosed between 2009 and 2019, Medicaid expansion was associated with significant improvements in insurance coverage, early-stage diagnosis, and 3-year overall survival. Patients residing in socioeconomically vulnerable areas had greater improvements. These findings suggest that improved outcomes and reduced place-based disparities for patients with NSCLC are consistent with potential benefits associated with Medicaid expansion.

Corresponding Author: Lu Zhang, PhD, Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, 530 Edwards Hall, Clemson, SC 29634 (lz3@clemson.edu).

Link to the article in your story

We encourage you to link out to this article in your story using the link below. It includes an access token that will give free access to the article for your readers up to one year after publication. (The link will be live after the article publishes and embargo is lifted.)

Please see the article for additional information, including full author list, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Need more information? Contact us.