Sunday, January 10, 2010

Differences in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Experiences of Insured and Uninsured Women in a Safety-Net Setting - The Commonwealth Fund

As we get down to the wire on passing historic legislation to reform our health care and insurance system in the US, its worth taking a look at the negative impact lack of health insurance has on women diagnosed with breast cancer.

This recent study from the Commonwealth Fund highlights the differences between insured and uninsured women in accessing breast cancer diagnosis and completing treatment.

"Even after controlling for socioeconomic characteristics, uninsured women
with breast cancer are more likely than their insured counterparts to require
more costly treatment and are more likely to have worse outcomes. The
current health care safety net is not a substitute for universal health
insurance coverage."



Differences in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Experiences of Insured and Uninsured Women in a Safety-Net Setting - The Commonwealth Fund