Medicaid eligibility changes may threaten cancer screening and lives, UChicago study warns
University of Chicago Medicine scientists warn that upcoming Medicaid policy changes could prevent millions from cancer screenings, leading to undiagnosed cancers and increased mortality, as detailed in a JAMA Oncology study.
The analysis was cowritten by Sarah Shubeck, MD, MS and Adrian Diaz, MD, and published in JAMA Oncology. The authors “used recent data and robust statistical modeling to project the downstream effects of proposed Medicaid work requirements.”
The Medicaid eligibility requirement updates that are supposed to take effect in January 2027 could:
Prevent nearly 7.5-10 million Americans overall from undergoing cancer screening.
Cause more than 2,300 cases of breast, colorectal, and lung cancer to go undiagnosed.
Result in more cancers being advanced when diagnosed.
Cause avoidable deaths.
Dr. Diaz told UChicago Medicine in a press release that, “Early screening saves lives, and lost coverage means lost opportunities for detection.” The authors hope their paper will serve as a warning to the potential consequences of these changes.
