ASTRO advocacy gains traction on Capitol Hill
Annual Advocacy Day and a recent Town Hall underscored the urgency of payment reform, prior authorization relief and action to address revised treatment delivery codes
ASTRO's advocacy efforts are gaining momentum, with member voices helping drive results on Capitol Hill and shape the Society's response to pressing reimbursement and access challenges. At the end of April, ASTRO members from across the country gathered in Washington, DC, for the Society's 21st Advocacy Day, bringing radiation oncology's most urgent policy priorities directly to lawmakers.
More than 100 members representing 35 states participated in over 100 meetings with congressional offices, urging support for the ROCR Act, reform of burdensome prior authorization requirements and strong federal investment in cancer research.
Those efforts are already producing results: shortly after Advocacy Day, the ROCR Act gained four additional cosponsors, including Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY), Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX) and Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV). As an ASTRO member, you can help sustain that momentum by urging your members of Congress to cosponsor ROCR through ASTRO's grassroots advocacy tool, which makes it easy to contact lawmakers in just a few clicks.
Town Hall
ASTRO continued that advocacy momentum on May 6 with a Town Hall focused on the revised radiation treatment delivery codes. During the session, ASTRO leaders reviewed the results of a recent member survey on the effects of the revised codes on facilities, and shared updates on ASTRO's ongoing engagement with CMS, Congress, Medicare contractors and private payers.
The discussion highlighted that the challenges tied to the revised codes go well beyond typical annual reimbursement changes. Members reported significant Medicare payment declines, administrative disruptions and growing risks to patient access to care, especially in freestanding and rural settings. Multiple facilities have closed already due to the reimbursement crisis, further hindering patients' access to treatment in those areas.
ASTRO continues to work to address denials, underpayments and implementation issues related to the new codes.
Members are encouraged to report issues at ASTRO's Payer Support and Resolution Center and to stay engaged by using ASTRO's grassroots advocacy tools to contact legislators.
