Structural Racism and Inequities in Access to Medicaid-Funded Quality Cancer Care in the United States

Abstract

Marks et al 1 offer important insights into access to high-quality cancer treatment for patients with Medicaid. The authors randomly selected 1 in 3 Commission on Cancer-accredited facilities and trained secret shoppers to pose as people with Medicaid insurance seeking a new patient appointment for treatment of 1 of 4 types of cancer: breast, colorectal, kidney, and skin. Secret shopper or audit methodology avoids bias associated with self-reports of access by facility administrators and has been widely used to study health care access, particularly related to Medicaid.

Health Care Policy and Disparities in Health

“…It causes limited access to care in poor reimbursement states where health care providers consider Medicaid patients undesirable. Many physicians and hospitals refuse to take Medicaid 48 . In some instances, the health care provider literally must subsidize the care provided to Medicaid patients.…”

“…Many physicians and hospitals refuse to take Medicaid. 48 In some instances, the health care provider literally must subsidize the care provided to Medicaid patients.…”