Medicaid expansion led to increase in screening for colorectal cancer patients in Kentucky

Kentucky is one of the poorest states in the U.S.1 However, the state has been one of the most successful in reducing its uninsured rate, which happened in part through the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion that took effect on January 1, 2014.2 In the past, Kentucky has reported low rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and has ranked among the highest states for incidence and mortality for the disease. One research team evaluated the impact of Medicaid expansion on the rates of CRC screening, incidence, and survival among the state's low-income population. The researchers found that the number of Medicaid patients who received screening after the expansion was more than triple the number of patients who were screened before the expansion. Additionally, CRC patients relying on Medicaid exhibited improved survival after the expansion compared to before it was implemented. The findings were published as an "article in press" on the website of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons ahead of print.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/medicaid-expansion-led-to-increase-in-screening-for-colorectal-cancer-patients-in-kentucky