Trending News Today: Many Patients with Cancer Experience PTSD

Repealing the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual mandate may not dramatically change enrollment, which has been feared by advocates of the law, according to Politico. Since the fine for being uninsured is less costly than insurance, many Americans have opted for the fine. This occurrence may not result in skyrocketing premiums and a boom in the uninsured population if the mandate is repealed, which contradicts projections by legislators and health advocacy groups, according to the article.

President Donald Trump may consider dropping the repeal of the individual mandate if it stands in the way of approving the tax code, according to Reuters. While the GOP has made attempts to repeal the ACA provision in the past, legislators may reconsider if they are unable to approve a new tax bill. Republican senators who oppose the bill have said that repealing the mandate may negate benefits from tax cuts due to increasing premiums, according to the article. This may suggest that the tax bill may face hurdles.

A new study discovered that 1 in 5 patients with cancer develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within 6 months of diagnosis, with some experiencing symptoms up to 6 years, STAT reported. Patients with cancer-related PTSD may experience psychological distress and cognitive problems, which may affect outcomes. The authors found that patients with PTSD were less likely to show up to appointments or adhere to treatments, according to the article.