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Cancer Policy Today
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This is a bi-weekly series of communications for ASCO members and others in the cancer community. These timely updates will keep you informed about ASCO’s regulatory and legislative efforts and future advocacy efforts related to Cancer Research, Quality Care and Medicare.
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March 1, 2010
As you know, today begins the 21.2% cut to Medicare payments. These cuts are a result of the flawed “sustainable growth rate.” After several failed attempts the U.S. Senate did not pass a bill (H.R. 4691) that included a 30 day SGR extension. ASCO staff will continue to answer oncology-related billing, coding, and coverage questions - online. As of March 1, 2010, all coding and reimbursement inquiries must be submitted electronically through ASCO.org. Click here to submit your question or bookmark this page. ASCO submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in response to its proposed changes to the “Informed Consent Elements” regulations.
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February 16, 2010
As the impending 21.2% cut in Medicare pay to physicians approaches on March 1, Congress is exploring other options to delay or fix the cut provided by the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula. On February 25, President Obama will host Democrats and Republications in an effort to hash out bi-partisan solutions in order to pass health care reform. Also, on January 25 the NIH implemented significant changes to the grants application process with newly restructured and shortened applications.
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February 1, 2010
In his first State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama reaffirmed his commitment to health care reform. Democratic leaders are aiming to decide this week about their next move on health care reform. Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Class I recall of Excel/Exelint Huber needs, Exel/Exelint Huber Infusion Sets and Excel/Exelint “Securetouch+” Safety Huber Infusion Sets, manufactured by Nipro Medical Corporation for Exelint International Corporation.
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January 19, 2010
Last week, ASCO issued its latest recommendations on genetic testing for cancer susceptibility. The updated statement addresses new developments over the past seven years, including availability of genetics tests of unproven clinical benefit and direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing. Last week, ASCO sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) requesting that they include Senator Arlen Specter’s (D-Pa.) amendment to delay the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) decision to eliminate payments of consultation service codes in the final health care reform conference agreement.Last week, ASCO sent a letter to Senate leadership, thanking them for including the Brown-Hutchison Clinical Trials amendment in the health care reform bill (H.R 3590), and urging them to include the amendment in the final health care reform package.
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January 5, 2010
On December 29, ASCO submitted comments to CMS in response to the Medicare physician fee schedule for calendar year (CY) 2010. This week ASCO submitted comments to the Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) in response to two draft guidance documents on Institutional Review Board (IRB) continuing review of research and IRB approval of research with conditions. On December 29, ASCO submitted comments to CMS regarding changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) and calendar year (CY) 2010 payment rates.
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December 22, 2009
Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) negotiated an agreement to include their amendment to require insurers to cover routine care costs associated with clinical trials in the Senate health reform legislation (H.R. 3590). The President has signed the law that will create a short term patch to Medicare’s sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, averting the 21 percent cut from taking place for two months. As you know, Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) had introduced two amendments to the Senate health reform bill that would have affected Medicare payments. ASCO supported both amendments.
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December 7, 2009
Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) have introduced an amendment (#2871) to the Senate Health Reform bill (H.R. 3590) that would prohibit insurers from denying coverage for routine care if they are enrolled in a clinical trial. Also, on November 30, ASCO sent a letter in response to the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Advocates in Research Working Group (ARWG) Final Recommendations.
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November 23, 2009
In the past week, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have issued new recommendations on screening for breast cancer and cervical cancer, respectively. ASCO has issued a statement outlining its perspective. On November 21, the Senate voted 60-39 to proceed to debate on health care reform. This vote was the first procedural step toward Senate consideration of health reform legislation. The Senate is expected to start debating the bill after the Thanksgiving Recess. On November 19, the House passed the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act (H.R. 3961). The bill, which passed by a vote of 243-183, would block a 21 percent physician payment cut required by the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) payment system.
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November 9, 2009
On October 30, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the final 2010 physician fee schedule that includes a 1 percent reduction for oncology services. After months of debate, on November 7 the U.S. House of Representatives passed by a vote of 220-215 the Affordable Health Care for America Act, a trillion-dollar health reform package to provide insurance coverage to most Americans. Today ASCO released its award-winning report, Clinical Cancer Advances 2009: Major Research Advances in Cancer Treatment, Prevention and Screening, an independent assessment identifying the top advances in cancer care from the past year.
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October 26, 2009
On October 23, ASCO sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) expressing deep concern about a proposal to tie payment rates for health care professionals under the public insurance plan option to Medicare payment rates. The Senate did not move forward legislation to repeal the SGR formula, so other legislative options are currently being considered. The House Appropriations Committee is drafting a continuing resolution to fund the federal government at FY 2009 levels past the end of October. The current CR expires October 31.
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