Screening rates vary by population and geography; however, one segment known to be less likely screened for colorectal cancer (CRC) is the Medicaid population. Due to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), many states have expanded their Medicaid program to individuals under age 65 who are under 138% of the federal poverty level. This expansion is increasing the number of individuals eligible for Medicaid who fall within the recommended guidelines for CRC screening, and thus providing a significant opportunity to improve CRC screening rates in participating states. Some states that did not officially expand Medicaid also have begun offering CRC screening to more uninsured and low income individuals.

The NCCRT Policy Action Task Group worked with a researcher at George Washington University to conduct a state by state assessment of CRC control activity among Medicaid programs. The report found a wide range of CRC control activity among Medicaid agencies, ranging from no activity to ten states with “Extensive” CRC activity, including data collection, partnership, measurement and tracking, and implementation of evidence-based interventions.