Bipartisan Lawmakers Send Letters to CMS Opposing Proposed Cuts to Radiation Therapy
Bipartisan Lawmakers Send Letters to CMS Opposing Proposed Cuts to Radiation Therapy (Source: US Oncology)
This week 228 bipartisan lawmakers in Congress sent three letters to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) asking the agency to reconsider proposed cuts to radiation oncology recommended in its 2016 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule.
In July, CMS proposed overall Medicare cuts of three percent to radiation oncology services, and an even deeper six percent Medicare cut to freestanding radiation therapy centers. The proposed cuts would most severely impact radiation therapy for breast and prostate cancers by cutting payments for cancer care services by 19 percent and 25 percent, respectively.
Bipartisan lawmakers, providers, patients and other members of the oncology community have all expressed concern that the proposed cuts would severely undermine the delivery of cancer care for older Americans who rely on Medicare.
In total, 40 bipartisan members of the U.S. Senate and 188 bipartisan members of the U.S. House of Representatives – including lawmakers from the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) – cautioned CMS to reconsider their proposed cuts.
Thank you to all the members of FLASCO who contacted their lawmakers in Congress to voice your concern and urge participation in this critical effort.
To view the Senate letter, CLICK HERE.
To view the House letter, CLICK HERE.
To view the CBC letter, CLICK HERE.
