Work in Progress: Immigrant Health Care from the Vantage of Cancer Testing and Screening

J Immigr Minor Health. 2021 Feb;23(1):1-3. doi: 10.1007/s10903-020-01129-9. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

Abstract

This letter offers a perspective from cancer testing and screening on the improvements in immigrant insurance coverage and care charted in Bustamante et al.'s April 2019 article in JOIH on "Health Care Access and Utilization Among U.S. Immigrants Before and After the Affordable Care Act." Supportive evidence for their data may be found in complementary literature drawing from both the National Health Interview Survey the authors use and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, while post-ACA surveys and state level information suggest disparities remain for lawfully present and undocumented immigrants ineligible for Medicaid and unable to secure insurance to pay medical costs. Existent options for cancer services are discussed. Further relevant reform depends on voter awareness and collaborative efforts between consumer advocates and legislators.

Keywords: African; Breast cancer; Cancer screening; Colorectal cancer; Genetic testing; Hispanic; Immigrant; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Emigrants and Immigrants*
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Insurance, Health
  • Medicaid
  • Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
  • United States