Medicaid expansion (ME) under the Affordable Care Act is linked with a significant reduction in 3-year disease-specific mortality among patients under 65 years diagnosed with colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastasis (CRLM).
The mortality benefit was most pronounced in patients undergoing liver metastasectomy, suggesting improved access to complex multidisciplinary surgical and systemic oncologic care.
Decreased mortality was observed starting 2-3 years after Medicaid expansion and persisted beyond 6 years, despite no significant increase in liver surgery rates.
ME may enhance continuity and quality of complex cancer care by facilitating access to systemic therapies and multidisciplinary management in populations historically underserved.
