Program
Program Content
Advocacy Day provides an opportunity for radiation oncologists to learn about important policy issues facing the field as well as the overall health care system and apply that knowledge to their practice. Participants will learn from experienced legislative experts and Members of Congress about issues including ASTRO's Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) payment proposal and Medicare physician payments, cancer research investment, the need for prior authorization reforms, best practices for meeting and working with legislative staff and new health care policies on the horizon.
Program Format
This two-day meeting features a day of guest speakers and Hill meeting training to educate and hone the advocacy skills of attendees followed by a day of meetings on Capitol Hill. It is recommended that attendees arrive either Sunday night or Monday morning and depart Tuesday evening.
Agenda
Unless otherwise noted, all programming will take place at The Royal Sonesta Washington, DC Capitol Hill in the Crown Ballroom (11th Floor).
| Monday, May 19, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| 8:15 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | INVITE ONLY: Coffee with ASTRO CEO Vivek Kavadi, MD, MBA, FASTRO Location: Jewel Room, 11th Floor of Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill |
| 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Registration Open Location: Crown Foyer |
| 11:00 a.m. | Lunch Opens |
| 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Welcome, State Roll Call, and Opening Remarks: Vivek Kavadi, MD, MBA, FASTRO, ASTRO CEO |
| 12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Lobbying for Radiation Oncology: Courtney Williams, ASTRO Assistant Director of Congressional Relations; Zachary Harris, ASTRO Congressional Lobbyist Moderator: Dave Adler, ASTRO Vice-president of Advocacy |
| 1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. | Congressional Perspectives on Payment Reform: Matt Tucker, Deputy Chief of Staff, Representative John Joyce, MD (PA-13); Emily Silverberg, Deputy Chief of Staff/Legislative Director, Representative Paul Tonko (NY-20) Moderator: Catheryn Yashar, MD, FASTRO |
| 1:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Break and Group Photo Remarks by Casey Chollet-Lipscomb, MD, FASTRO, Government Relations Council Chair |
| 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. | Ask the ASTRO Council Chairs Moderator: Casey Chollet-Lipscomb, MD, FASTRO, Government Relations Council Chair |
| 2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Chairman's Forum: Navigating the 119th Congress Howard Sandler, MD, MS, FASTRO, ASTRO Chair; Erik Fatemi, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs; Laura Bozell, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs |
| 3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | Break and Group Photo |
| 3:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Your Two-Minute Pitch Courtney Williams, ASTRO Assistant Director of Congressional Relations; Zachary Harris, ASTRO Congressional Lobbyist |
| 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Bus Transportation to ASTRO PAC Dinner |
| 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | ASTRO PAC Annual Donor Appreciation Dinner |
| Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast and ASTRO Advocacy staff available for questions Location: Crown Ballroom |
| 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Hill Meetings |
Note: Complimentary boxed lunches will be available in the Gold Room (Room 2168) of the Rayburn House Office building between 11:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. | |
Statement of Need
It is imperative that radiation oncology professionals stay current on changing federal regulations, federal funding for oncology research and the role Congress plays in access to care for cancer patients. This meeting will bring in subject matter experts on these topics. Attendees will learn how federal agencies affect changes in Medicare payments, the future of the radiation oncology alternative payment model, and how those changes affect their ability to deliver care to patients. Attendees will learn and apply best practices in advocating their federally elected officials on issues that are important to the profession, and for the patients that receive treatment.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this live activity, attendees should be able to do the following:
- Articulate ASTRO's legislative priorities to federal lawmakers.
- Outline current and potential legislation related to the practice of radiation oncology, Medicare physician reimbursements, insurance reform, source security and cancer research.
- Effectively summarize the federal issues and specific legislation that has an effect on the practice of radiation oncology.
- Utilize social media to follow up with lawmakers on issues related to radiation oncology.
Elements of Competence
This educational forum has been designed to narrow the competency gaps of interpersonal skills and communication, professionalism, quality improvement, commitment to lifelong learning, cognitive expertise, and teams and teamwork. These are six of the 19 core competencies embraced by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the Institute of Medicine, the American Board of Radiology and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
Target Audience
This meeting is designed to meet the interests of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, physicists, nurses, radiation therapists and radiation dosimetrists.
