CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSE TO CMS
During the summer and fall of 2009, there was a high level of Congressional concern about proposed CMS action that would have devastated access to cancer care. Citing concerns about barriers to cancer treatment and furthering racial disparities in the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer, eight African American Members of Congress wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius about a proposed government policy to cut payments for radiation therapy. Lead by Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and seven other Congressional Black Caucus Members, the letter raised concerns with a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed payment change for 2010 which, if finalized, would have resulted in a 44 percent reduction in reimbursement for radiation therapy used to treat prostrate, breast, brain and other cancers.
Several other Members of the House and Senate wrote to Secretary Sebelius asking that CMS exclude therapeutic services like radiation oncology from the proposed equipment utilization assumptions that reduce radiation therapy payment. House Cancer Caucus Co-Chair Steve Israel (NY) and Charles Gonzalez (TX) said the proposed cuts would affect access to quality, comprehensive cancer care.
Click here to read the letter to HHS from members of the House of Representatives.
Click here to read the letter to HHS from members of the House Congressional Black Caucus.
Individual Letters to HHS:
Click here to read the letter from Senator Richard Lugar (IN).
Click here to read the letter from Senator Kit Bond (MO).
