Embargoed until 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 25, 2018 — Despite federal programs to improve the availability of medical insurance, drug costs still keep more than one in ten stroke survivors from obtaining their recommended medications, putting them at risk of another stroke, according to preliminary research presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2018, a world premier meeting dedicated to the science and treatment of cerebrovascular disease for researchers and clinicians.

Researchers examined the impact of the Affordable Care Act, which gave more individuals the option of purchasing health insurance and gave states the option of expanding eligibility for Medicaid, on the proportion of stroke survivors who are unable to afford their medication.

Using information from the National Health Interview Survey, researchers found that the percentage of young stroke survivors (aged 45-64) who were uninsured fell 53 percent, from 15 percent to 7 percent, between 2010 and 2015. This change was accompanied by an increase in Medicaid coverage from 24 percent to 31 percent.

However, the percentage of young stroke patients who did not obtain recommended medications due to cost concerns did not change significantly from 2010 to 2015. About 21 percent of younger stroke survivors and 8 percent of stroke survivors 65 and older reported that cost prevented them from taking recommended medications in 2015.

Study author Deborah A. Levine, M.D., M.P.H. receives support from the National Institutes of Health.

Deborah A. Levine, M.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Presentation location: Room 515B

Additional Resources:

Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding.

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About the American Stroke Association

The American Stroke Association is devoted to saving people from stroke — the No. 2 cause of death in the world and a leading cause of serious disability. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat stroke. The Dallas-based association officially launched in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit StrokeAssociation.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For Media Inquiries and AHA Spokesperson Perspective:

AHA News Media in Dallas: 214-706-1173

AHA News Media Office, Jan. 24-26, 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center: 213-743-6262

For Public Inquiries: 800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and strokeassociation.org