“These findings are concerning, especially as ICIs are being used more frequently in treating people with both early and late-stage cancers,” said Dr. Jingxuan Zhao, senior scientist, health services research at ACS, and lead author of the study. “ICIs can be lifesaving; however, cancer patients without health insurance coverage may be unable to afford them due to their high costs.”

“Health policies expanding access to insurance coverage options and making new treatments more affordable are needed. Expanding Medicaid to individuals without health insurance coverage may improve their access to effective cancer treatments that are also costly, such as ICIs,” Dr. Zhao added.

“Having comprehensive, affordable health insurance is a major determining factor in surviving cancer, especially as promising new – but also costly – treatments, like ICIs, become available. That’s why ACS CAN has long advocated for increased access to quality, affordable health coverage – made increasingly urgent with recent Congressional action that significantly cuts Medicaid funding and makes affordable health insurance coverage unattainable for millions nationwide,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, president of ACS’s advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN.

ACS researcher Dr. Robin Yabroff contributed to this study.

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