Be an Advocate

Keep community cancer care alive.

Recent proposed Medicare cuts to radiation therapy providers are threatening to close many cancer centers, possibly some in your community. Cancer patients could feel the impact of these changes with longer wait times, reduced access to quality care and less time with their doctors.

Help prevent this from happening by contacting your members of Congress. Let your voice be heard and keep community cancer care alive.

Patient Advocates
If you are a cancer patient, family member or caregiver, let your members of Congress know how important access to quality cancer care is to you. Act now!

Cancer Providers
If you are a cancer provider, tell Congress how these changes will impact your ability to provide quality cancer care in your community. Act now!

For additional information on the proposed cuts visit the ASTRO website.

Background Information

Fact Sheet Nearly 600 physicians responded to the ASTRO member survey conducted in response to the proposed Medicare cuts. Results illustrate the potentially devastating effect on access to quality cancer care for patients.

Representatives Pitts and Pallone sign letter to Secretary Sebelius
Reps. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) and Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) have sent a bipartisan letter to their colleagues in the House asking for support in protecting access to life-saving radiation therapy treatments for the nation's cancer patients by signing on to a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius. Contact your member of Congress to ask them to sign on to this letter.

ASTRO's official statement on proposed Medicare changes
On July 6, 2012, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would revise several reimbursement payment policies and rates for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) as of January 1, 2013. The proposed changes reflect an overall 15 percent reduction in payment for radiation oncology services. The 15 percent cut equals $300 million loss for the provision of cancer care services.

ASTRO Outreach

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Get involved in the cancer community

Being an advocate means building and maintaining a permanent network that unites you with others affected by cancer as voices for change around cancer issues. An advocate weighs in with policymakers on pieces of legislation, initiativesb or propositions which directly affects the care you receive. To have a strong voice in government, it is important to be active all year round.