The Impact of Full Medicare Coverage for Immunotherapy Patients in the United States

As of 2020, research from the World Cancer Research Fund International reveals that over 18.1 million people suffer from cancer around the world. Of these people, the American Cancer Society reports that an estimated 1.9 million are from the United States (2022). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer is the second leading cause of death, killing over 600,000 people per year. To solve this problem, certified researchers Claudia Voena and Roberto Chiarle have found that “cancer immunology has provided new therapeutic approaches to treat cancer,” (2016). Cancer immunology is reported to be an increasingly successful way to combat cancer tumors. Despite this, the cost of cancer treatment continues to rise, highlighting the need for accessible care. Licensed agents from Medicare Advisors state that Medicare “coverage can make a huge difference in the lives of cancer patients who are unable to afford the cost of immunotherapy” (2021). Complete Medicare coverage can alleviate financial and emotional burdens, enhance patient quality of life, and mitigate the risk of recurrence. Therefore, extending Medicare coverage to cover cancer immunotherapy completely is crucial in ensuring the social welfare of cancer patients and their families located in the U.S.

Health-Wealth Gradient

Various social factors influence an individual’s accessibility to cancer care. Individuals with lower educational and economic backgrounds, as well as those with limited community support, face disparities in healthcare compared to those with higher socioeconomic status, otherwise known as SES, (National Library of Medicine, 2013). There is an emphasized correlation between economic status and access to adequate medical services. Researchers have begun calling this the “wealth-health” gradient, a term noting the interdependent relationship between an individual’s health and socioeconomic status. Dina Maskileyson, who specializes in health inequality, found a stark difference between the wealth-health gradient for individuals in America compared to those in other countries, such as Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Israel. This huge disparity can be traced back to private-based healthcare systems in the United States. America’s reliance on private insurance and healthcare providers contributes to the disadvantages lower-income patients face compared with their wealthier counterparts. The effect of partial healthcare coverage is an instrumental factor in the overall health of patients, thus reiterating the importance of allowing full Medicare access, especially for disadvantaged individuals.

Wealth can affect multiple aspects of social life, as supported by research from the University of California, San Francisco. Better educational, economic, and social opportunities for children are attributed to their parents’ wealth. Consequently, facets of their health are shaped by such circumstances. Statistics from the Bureau of Economic Analysis show that as of 2023, the United States has an annual gross domestic product increase of 3.3%. Though the U.S. is a first-world country with great socioeconomic power, a large percentage of its population experiences major differences in wealth distribution. The Pew Research Center finds that “1 in 10 American households have a net worth of $0 or less.” In 2021 alone, 15% of all households in the United States had no wealth or were in debt. An increasing number of households lack a financial safety net in the case of unforeseen expenses, such as injuries, that need medical care. Closing the wealth gap is essential for creating equitable medical access and improving public health. Medicare access not only strengthens America’s economy but also allows its population to thrive. In a study conducted by researchers from the Yale School of Public Health, the Medicare for All Act, which expands Medicare to provide benefits for every person in the United States, is calculated to result in a “13% savings in national health-care expenditure, equivalent to more than [U.S.] $450 billion annually...[providing] the greatest relief to lower-income households.” In the United States, medical debt is the main cause of bankruptcy for patients. By providing full medical care coverage, the U.S. can take the financial burden of medical patients, resulting in a healthy population and a boosted economy. Lower-income households especially benefit from Medicare. In a study conducted by Stanford Medicine, the mortality rate of cancer rose by 12% for individuals who experience poverty compared to those in more affluent neighborhoods.

Counterarguments

Some may argue that the implementation of full Medicare coverage can result in longer wait times, reduced quality of care, and a lack of provider availability, as affirmed by Aimee Jordan, who is proficient in healthcare marketing insights. For cancer patients, time is of the essence. Extended wait times created by administrative burdens, such as medical regulations and paperwork, can cause delays in the process of treatment vital for the life of the patient. Furthermore, increased demand for medical providers can cause a lack of quality treatment. The Congressional Budget Office states, “If coverage was nearly universal... the demand for medical care would probably exceed the supply of care.” For immunotherapy patients, quality care and understanding are crucial in solving their battle with cancer. However, research from the Cancer Atlas effectively shuts down this argument, stating instead that “[The] most effective way to improve cancer outcomes and achieve greater equity is to maximize the number of individuals who have access to effective services while ensuring financial protection before introducing new services,” (2024). Medicare coverage is vital to saving the lives of cancer patients who face financial disparities in income. Moreover, as access to universal healthcare increases, patients reap more benefits in the long run that positively affect everyone involved.

Conclusion

When examining the effects of full Medicare coverage for immunotherapy patients in America, it’s clear that there is an abundant amount of benefits. Despite limitations in extended wait times, diminished medical care, and medical personnel, implementing a system that allows full coverage of cancer immunotherapy greatly increases the survival rates of those battling cancer. In the end, research supports that health outcomes skyrocket, cancer reoccurrence is reduced, and the stress of handling financial aspects of healthcare is greatly diminished for already struggling patients. Full Medicare coverage needs to be implemented for the social, mental, physical, and financial welfare of cancer patients.