ASCO Urges Congress to Increase Health Program Funding
On February 28, five medical research advocacy groups, including the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, the Campaign for Medical Research, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, the National Health Council and Research!America, called for an increase of 6.6% to the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) FY2009 Budget. ASCO is a member of the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research and supports the 6.6% increase for NIH.

President Bush’s proposed budget for FY 2009 contains flat funding for NIH and the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

On February 19, ASCO, along with more than 440 health and medical organizations, signed on to a letter urging Congress to increase the amount of the federal budget devoted to federal health programs, including NIH.

The letter states that the amount of the budget devoted to health programs must increase by $5.3 billion to restore purchasing power eroded by flat funding over the past five years and provide investments that begin to truly meet health challenges facing the nation.

In addition, a bipartisan “Dear Colleague” letter is circulating in the House of Representatives supporting NIH budget increases. Members of the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, a coalition of organizations including ASCO that supports an increase in NIH funding, are urging their membership to contact Members of Congress to ask them to sign on to the letter. Signatures from Members of Congress are being collected over the next 10 days.

For more information on any of these initiatives, contact ASCO's Cancer Policy & Clinical Affairs Department at 703-299-1050 or publicpolicy@asco.org.

NIH Requests Comments on Peer-Review Process
On February 28, NIH released for public comment a final draft report on its peer review system. The report identifies the most significant challenges facing the NIH peer review system and proposes recommended actions.

ASCO submitted comments to NIH last September on its peer review system. The Society is reviewing the draft report to determine whether or not it will submit comments, which are due by March 17.

For more information, contact ASCO's Cancer Policy & Clinical Affairs Department at 703-299-1050 or researchpolicy@asco.org.

ASCO and NCCS Educate Reporters about Cancer Policy Issues at Briefing
Yesterday, ASCO and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) held their annual media policy briefing in Washington, DC, to discuss patient and oncologist policy priorities for 2008.

Nine policy reporters attended the briefing, where ASCO CEO Allen Lichter, MD, and NCCS President and CEO Ellen Stovall reviewed initiatives under way at each organization addressing access to quality care, insurance coverage and cost of care, eliminating disparities in cancer care, and increasing funding for cancer research.

Information from the briefing is available online at ASCO’s Press Center. Contact Lindsay Strug with any questions at 703-299-1085 or strugl@asco.org.

Watch your Mail for Physician Practice Information Survey
The American Medical Association (AMA) and more than 70 other organizations, including ASCO, are conducting a comprehensive multi-specialty survey of U.S. physician practices. The results will be used to influence national decision makers to ensure accurate and fair representation for all physicians and patients and to communicate the challenges of running a practice that provides expert patient care while maintaining sustainability. CMS will use the study results to help determine physician payments. The survey firm, Dmrkynetec, will survey randomly selected physicians and practice managers.

Please encourage your staff to participate, as the survey’s success depends on accurate and complete data. All responses will remain confidential.

News and Notes
New ESA Instruction Sheet Available on ASCO's Web Site
A new instruction sheet on reporting hematocrit/hemoglobin in conjunction with claims for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) is now available on ASCO’s Web site.

Join ASCO's Advocacy Network
Advocacy is most effective when Members of Congress and government agencies hear from you, their constituents. By participating in ASCO's Advocacy Network, you will have the opportunity to develop ongoing relationships with your legislators while helping ASCO raise awareness on important cancer issues. To join the Advocacy Network, visit ASCO's Grassroots Action Center.

ASCO Extends Resources to Practice Administrators
ASCO encourages members whose practice administrators are interested in receiving Cancer Policy Today to forward their administrator's contact information to practice@asco.org.