The Impact of the Affordable Care Act on North Carolinian Breast Cancer Patients Seeking Financial Support for Treatment

Abstract

Background The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was instated on 23 March 2010 to improve healthcare quality, reduce costs, and increase access. The Pretty in Pink Foundation (PIPF), a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization in North Carolina, provides financial assistance and in-kind support to individuals seeking help with breast cancer care. The objective of this study was to determine whether sociodemographic variables and treatment services varied among PIPF recipients since enactment of the ACA. Methods North Carolinians who received financial assistance from the PIPF between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014 were included in the study, and the cohort was divided into two groups based on receipt of assistance before or after the enactment of the ACA. Descriptive statistics were tabulated as frequencies. Comparative univariate analysis between both groups was conducted using the χ2 and Mann–Whitney U tests. All tests were two-sided and a p value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. All analyses were conducted using Stata. Results Overall, 1016 individuals fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and the median age of the cohort was 49 years (interquartile range 45–55). The ACA groups did not differ significantly by age, race, and sex; however, the groups varied with respect to income, employment, and clinical stage. In addition, the groups differed on the types of services for which they received financial assistance, but no difference was observed between groups with respect to insurance status. Conclusion Since the enactment of the health insurance market component of the ACA, there has been a reduction in subjects receiving assistance from the PIPF; however, no change in their insurance status has been observed.

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