Box 1.

Summary of recommendations for understanding the economic burden to employed caregivers of patients diagnosed with cancer and the solutions needed

Recommendations Research ○ Data collection ▪ Demographics on caregivers, patients, and dependents, including household income ▪ Characteristics of health insurance coverage for family ▪ Job characteristics and benefits ○ Study design • Inclusion of retrospective data collection prior to patient’s diagnosis • Longitudinal cohorts of diverse caregivers, patients, and treating institutions • Control group of comparable nonemployed caregivers ○ Methods • Gender stratification in all analyses ○ Outcomes • Percent change in hours worked • Nonemployment • Reduced wages and earnings • Health insurance coverage disruptions or coverage status change • Financial impact hardship including increased debt and withdrawals from savings • Physical and mental health functioning • Incorporated assessment of caregiver employment and job requirements into treatment plan Practice ○ Paid sick leave Policy ○ Availability of health insurance coverage outside of employment ○ Medicaid expansion for low-income workers without employment-based health insurance options ○ Marketplace subsidies