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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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June 22, 2009
Although health care reform debate is a primary focus in Congress, there are multiple ongoing complementary efforts to advance legislation to improve the cancer care delivery system in the United States.
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June 15, 2009
On June 9, Sens. Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) introduced legislation in the Senate to address the calculation of the ASP for Medicare Part B drugs. On June 11, the Senate passed S. 982, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which will give the FDA authority over tobacco products.
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June 8, 2009
Immediate Past President Richard Schilsky, MD, and NCI Director John Niederhuber, MD, discussed the importance of increased funding for cancer research and increased access to cancer care at the opening press briefing of ASCO’s 45th Annual Meeting. Also, the Congressional Black Caucus circulated a “Dear Colleague” letter to leadership in the House of Representatives, urging support for legislation to address the calculation of the ASP for Medicare Part B drugs.
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May 26, 2009
ASCO has added four new lung cancer chemotherapy treatment plan and summary templates to its Web site. Also, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have released a white paper outlining proposed policy options to address financing for comprehensive health reform.
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May 11, 2009
On May 6, ASCO joined the Association of American Cancer Institutes, the American Association of Cancer Research, and Friends of Cancer Research for a Congressional Lobby Day. Also, on May 7, President Barack Obama announced his FY 2010 budget request that includes $31.01 billion in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and $5.15 billion for National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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April 22, 2009
On April 20, NCI Director John E. Niederhuber, MD, announced details about the Institute’s plan to use the stimulus funding allocated in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Also, last week, The New York Times published an article highlighting cost of care issues faced by some people with cancer who are prescribed oral chemotherapy drugs.
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April 8, 2009
On March 30, ASCO and 13 other organizations sent a letter to leadership in the House of Representatives, asking them to co-sponsor H.R. 1392. In addition, Reps. Lois Capps (D-CA) and Charles Boustany (R-LA) introduced the Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act of 2009 (H.R. 1844) on April 1. Also, in response to a hearing held on March 20, ASCO sent the IOM three research priorities for cancer-related comparative effectiveness research.
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March 25, 2009
On March 18, ASCO President Richard L. Schilsky, MD, testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies on the topic of funding for cancer research. On March 20, Antonio C. Wolff, MD, testified before the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Comparative Effectiveness Research Priorities.
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March 11, 2009
On March 10, members of Congress introduced legislation to address the calculation of the Average Sales Price (ASP) for Medicare Part B drugs. Also, President Obama signed an executive order on March 9 repealing a policy that limited NIH funding for embryonic stem cell research.
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February 26, 2009
House leaders are introducing legislation to remove prompt-pay discounts extended to drug wholesalers from the calculation of the ASP of Medicare Part B drugs. Also, on February 17, President Obama approved an economic stimulus package that allocates $10.4 billion for NIH, including $1.2 billion for NCI. On February 24, ASCO sent a letter to NCI recommending priorities for use of its portion of the stimulus funds.
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