Patients with private insurance or Medicare living in highly deprived neighborhoods have lower odds of positive surgical outcomes and higher presentation acuity, despite having insurance coverage. These findings suggest that insurance expansion alone is inadequate to address healthcare disparities, as barriers to preventive care and other complex factors contribute to inequities in health outcomes. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive approaches to improve access to care and reduce disparities in deprived communities.
Journal Article by Schmidt S, Jacobs MA (…) Shireman PK et 9 al. in JAMA Surg