Medicaid Expansions and Cervical Cancer Screening for Low‐Income Women
- 30 June 2017
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Health Services Research
- Vol. 53 (S1), 2870-2891
- https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.12732
Abstract
Medicaid coverage for low-income women may play an important role in ensuring access to preventive care. This study examines how Medicaid eligibility expansions to nonelderly adults impact cervical cancer screening among low-income women. We use data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from 2000 to 2010. The primary outcome of interest is whether women in the relevant guideline consistent age range reported having a Pap test in the previous year. We use a difference-in-differences approach with matched treatment and comparison states and a simulated eligibility approach based on a continuous measure of Medicaid generosity. Our results indicate that cervical cancer screening increased among low-income women in expansion states relative to comparison states. Increases in screening rates are largest among low-income Hispanic women. Medicaid expansions during the period from 2000 to 2010 were associated with improved cervical cancer screening rates, which is critical for early cervical cancer detection and prevention of cancer morbidity and mortality in women. The results suggest that more widespread Medicaid expansions may have positive effects on preventive health care for women.Keywords
Funding Information
- National Cancer Institute (R01CA178980)
This publication has 29 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Oregon Experiment — Effects of Medicaid on Clinical OutcomesThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2013
- The Oregon Health Insurance Experiment: Evidence from the First Year*The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 2012
- Meeting the cervical cancer screening needs of underserved women: The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, 2004–2006Cancer Causes & Control, 2010
- Racial and ethnic disparities in cervical cancer incidence rates in the United States, 1992−2003Cancer Causes & Control, 2007
- Impact of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program on mammography and pap test utilization among white, Hispanic, and African American women: 1996–2000Cancer, 2007
- Are Adults Benefiting From State Coverage Expansions?Health Affairs, 2006
- Family coverage expansions: Impact on insurance coverage and health care utilization of parentsJournal of Health Economics, 2005
- Children Welcome, Adults Need Not Apply: Changes in Public Program Enrollment across States and over TimeMedical Care Research and Review, 2005
- Saving Babies: The Efficacy and Cost of Recent Changes in the Medicaid Eligibility of Pregnant WomenJournal of Political Economy, 1996
- Mammography use among sociodemographically diverse women: the accuracy of self-report.American Journal of Public Health, 1996