Akinyemi OA, Weldeslase TA, Fasokun ME, Odusanya E, Mejulu EO, Salihu EY, Akueme NT, Hughes K, Micheal M. Causal Effects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Implementation on Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Survival: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis.
Cureus 2024;
16:e52571. [PMID:
38249651 PMCID:
PMC10798909 DOI:
10.7759/cureus.52571]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) accounts for a substantial number of cancer cases in the United States, with a significant prevalence and mortality rate. The implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has the potential to impact cancer-specific survival among NHL patients by improving access to healthcare services and treatments.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to assess the impact of the implementation of the ACA on cancer-specific survival among patients diagnosed with NHL.
METHODOLOGY
In this retrospective analysis, we leveraged data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry to assess the impact of the ACA on cancer-specific survival among NHL patients. The study covered the years 2000-2020, divided into pre-ACA (2000-2013) and post-ACA (2017-2020) periods, with a three-year washout (2014-2016). Using a Difference-in-Differences approach, we compared Georgia (a non-expansion state) to New Jersey (an expansion state since 2014). We adjusted for patient demographics, income, metropolitan status, disease stage, and treatment modalities.
RESULTS
Among 74,762 patients, 56.2% were in New Jersey (42,005), while 43.8% were in Georgia (32,757). The pre-ACA period included 32,851 patients (51.7% in Georgia and 56.7% in New Jersey), and 27,447 patients were in the post-ACA period (48.3% in Georgia and 43.4% in New Jersey). The post-ACA period exhibited a 34% survival improvement (OR=0.66, 95% CI 0.58-0.75). ACA implementation was associated with a 16% survival boost among NHL patients in New Jersey (OR=0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.95). Other factors linked to improved survival included surgery (OR=0.86, 95% CI 0.81-0.91), radiotherapy (OR=0.77, 95% CI 0.72-0.82), and married status (OR=0.67, 95% CI 0.64-0.71).
CONCLUSION
The study underscores the ACA's potential positive impact on cancer-specific survival among NHL patients, emphasizing the importance of healthcare policy interventions in improving patient outcomes.
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