Medicaid Expansion Improved Treatment Access and Outcomes for Patients with HER2-enriched Breast Cancer, New Study Shows

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 [were] 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 Improved Treatment Access and Outcomes for Patients with HER2-enriched Breast Cancer, New Study Shows, 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. 

This news release was published by the American Cancer Society on June 3, 2023.