When states paid doctors more, women waited less time for breast cancer surgery, according to Michael Halpern, M.D., Ph.D., of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina-RTI International, reports MedPage Today. Halpern analyzed Medicaid claims data from 2006 through 2008 for women ages 18 to 64, who were enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare for at least four months during those years. He found that Medicaid reimbursement was associated with shorter wait times for breast conserving surgery or outpatient mastectomy--the study showed no effect on wait times for inpatient mastectomy. When reimbursement rates are higher, doctors are more likely to take on Medicaid patients, Halpern found. Article