ROCR Act introduced in Congress

[Left to right] Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-8) and ASTRO members Jefferson Moulds, MD, Michael Goldstein, MD, PhD, and Bansi Savla, MD

On May 14 and 15, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), John Joyce, MD (R-PA), and Paul Tonko (D-NY), introduced the bipartisan Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value-Based Payment Program Act (S.4330 and H.R.8404). This legislative initiative is designed to reverse disastrous Medicare Part B payment trends that are expected to continue without any intervention. ASTRO believes that the ROCR Act represents the best chance to secure long-term rate stability and continue to deliver cutting-edge care to our patients close to home. Over 50 organizations have signed on in support of ROCR as of this print date and the list continues to grow.

Key features of ROCR include:

• Leveraging episode-based payments to align financial incentives with scientifically proven outcomes.
• Supporting shorter treatments for certain cancers.
• Reducing disparities that create barriers for patients from rural and underserved communities to access and complete treatments.
• Implementing a systematic approach to improve quality and protect patient safety through practice accreditation.
• Unifying payments across settings based on hospital technical payments.
• Generating Medicare savings of approximately $200 million over 10 years.

[Left to right] ASTRO members Thomas Dilling, MD, MS, FASTRO, Aaron Bush, MD, and Congresswoman Kathy Castor (FL-14)

Directly following the introduction of the ROCR Act, nearly 100 ASTRO members converged on Washington, DC. Representing close to 30 states, ASTRO members met with members of Congress to advocate for the ROCR Act, prior authorization reform, and cancer research funding. The two-day meeting featured guest speakers and Hill meeting training to hone the advocacy skills of ASTRO’s members, followed by a full day of congressional meetings.

ASTRO leaders met with the newly elected ARRO Executive Committee prior to the start of Advocacy Day. ARRO presented updates on their accomplishments over the past year and shared new initiatives. The ARRO Executive Committee then joined members of ASTRO at Advocacy Day.

You can advocate on behalf of our field by contacting your representative and senators to cosponsor the ROCR Act (H.R.8404 and S.4330) to advance it through Congress this year at www.astro.org/advocate.