Late-stage cancer diagnoses rise in low-regulation states

A new study has found that some states see higher rates of late-stage cancer diagnoses. The study looked at over 1.2 million adults newly diagnosed with cancer from 2016 to 2020. Research shows that states with fewer regulations on short-term, limited-duration (STLD) insurance plans had a noticeable increase in late-stage cancer cases. These states saw a 0.76 percentage point rise compared to those that entirely banned STLD plans. States with some regulations also experienced a similar increase of 0.84 percentage points. The study analyzed data from 47 states and the District of Columbia, focusing on adults between 18 and 64 years old. Researchers highlighted that STLD plans often come with high out-of-pocket costs, even for screenings. This makes it difficult for patients to get early cancer detection. Among the participants, nearly half were from states with little to no STLD regulations. The demographics varied, with states prohibiting STLD plans having a higher percentage of Hispanic and Asian Pacific Islander patients. The study's authors stated that the federal policy change in 2018, which eased restrictions on STLD plans, is linked to the rise in late-stage cancer diagnoses. This pattern was consistent across various cancer types that have recommended screenings. While the study provides significant insights, it also has limitations. It notes that the data comes from hospital records, which might not fully represent the population. Additionally, the study can only show associations, not direct causes.