Disparities in Health Care

Background: Disparities in access to cancer prevention and treatment are well documented and remain a key policy issue for ASTRO. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted disparities in care for countless Americans, as it has become evident that people of color and other marginalized groups are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus and cancer.

What we’re doing: As Congress works toward solutions to address the health care needs of the underserved and eliminate disparities, ASTRO aims to lend itself as a partner in the efforts to bridge the gap for marginalized groups. Additionally, ASTRO continues to pursue Medicare payment reform with a focus on reducing disparities in radiation treatments as a cornerstone of any new payment policy.