Could new Medicaid eligibility requirements have dire consequences in Louisiana?

A new analysis published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association Oncology estimates that nearly 32,000 breast, lung, and colorectal cancer screenings could be missed in Louisiana during the first two years after new Medicaid eligibility requirements take effect next year. Nationwide, the study projects more than 1.1 million missed cancer screenings and approximately 155 preventable deaths over the same period. When applied to Louisiana’s Medicaid population, the model predicts about 31,941 missed screenings, leading to roughly 67 additional cancer cases, nine excess late-stage diagnoses, and an estimated five preventable deaths.