What is Happening in Washington
CY 2027 Proposed Rule Rescinds Utilization Management Analysis
December 17, 2025On November 25, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule for Contract Year (CY) 2027 that would revise the Medicare Advantage (MA) Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program (Part D), and Medicare Cost Plan Program.
ASTRO, 120+ tell Congress: Support Prior Auth Reform
December 17, 2025ASTRO joined more than 120 national medical specialty societies, state medical associations, and the American Medical Association in a letter to Congress urging support of H.R. 3514/S. 1816, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.
New Medicare model may be opportunity for functional radiation medicine
December 4, 2025On December 1, The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation launched a new payment model test using technology to help improve care for chronic conditions, including those with musculoskeletal pain.
ASTRO and EviCore meet to discuss code changes
December 3, 2025ASTRO President-elect Catheryn Yashar, MD, FASTRO and Health Policy Council Chair Amar Rewari, MD, FASTRO, led a team of ASTRO health policy physician leaders and staff in a meeting with senior EviCore officials.
Bipartisan bill would tie physician reimbursement to inflation
November 26, 2025Reps. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) reintroduced the ASTRO-supported bipartisan Strenghthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act on November 20.
Telehealth flexibilities reinstated; Claims should be resubmitted
November 26, 2025On November 20, 2025, CMS provided updated guidance to telehealth providers to retroactively submit any claims they held during the government shutdown and continue billing normally through January 30, 2026.
ASTRO will fight overly restrictive EviCore rad onc guideline
November 26, 2025ASTRO is pushing back against EviCore’s outrageous updated guidelines for Radiation Oncology services that would limit coverage for complex treatments.
ASTRO secures improvements in 2026 Hospital Payment Rule
November 25, 2025On November 21, 2025, CMS released the 2026 Hospital Outpatient Perspective Payment System (HOPPS) final rule.
CMS finalizes limited change for the 2026 Quality Payment Program
November 19, 2025On Friday, October 31, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the 2026 Quality Payment Program (QPP) final rule.
Government likely to reopen after 43 days
November 12, 2025The U.S. Federal government will reopen this week after a seven-week recess.
ASTRO joins 450+ organizations in supporting medical research
November 5, 2025While the federal government remained mired in a shutdown, ASTRO joined over 450 organizations from the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research in a letter to congressional appropriations leaders urging them to fund NIH and ARPA-H.
MPFS Final Rule Revised: Updates Reflect ASTRO Advocacy Priorities
November 5, 2025On Friday, October 31, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule, with an estimated -1% cut to radiation therapy physician services; however, due to statutory increases not reflected in the rule’s specialty impact table, radiation oncology will see a net positive impact.
ASTRO submits comments on FDA radiopharmaceuticals draft guidance
October 28, 2025On October 17, 2025 ASTRO submitted comments on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) draft guidance, “Oncology Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals: Dosage Optimization During Clinical Development: Guidance for Industry.”
Shutdown second-longest in U.S. history, Medicare impacts continue
October 22, 2025The U.S. federal government remains closed marking the second-longest funding lapse in U.S. history with no end in sight.
ASTRO Government Relations Resident Fellow selected
October 15, 2025We are excited to announce that Eliane Garlock, DO, a resident in the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health System in Richmond, Virginia, was selected as ASTRO’s 2026 Government Relations Resident Fellow.
ROCR picks up more bipartisan cosponsors
October 15, 2025ROCR continues to gain momentum thanks to three new cosponsors in Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Representative Kevin Mullin (D-CA), and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK).
Shutdown continues
October 15, 2025The U.S. federal government remains closed a third week with negotiations still gridlocked.
Federal shutdown continues
October 8, 2025The Federal government remains closed entering a second week with negotiations gridlocked.
Anthony Letai named new NCI director
October 7, 2025Dr. Anthony Letai was sworn in as the new director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on September 29.
ASTRO joins 160+ organizations opposing indirect cost caps
October 7, 2025In a letter to congressional appropriations leaders, ASTRO joined over 160 organizations in support of efforts to ensure that research costs are adequately supported.
ASTRO attends largest-ever Rally for Medical Research
September 24, 2025On September 17-18, ASTRO joined organizations from across the research community for the 13th annual Rally for Medical Research.
ASTRO leads 100+ organizations urging Congress to pass ROCR Act this year
September 12, 2025On September 12, ASTRO joined 104 radiation oncology organizations in a letter urging congressional leadership to pass the ROCR Act this year.
ROCR picks up bipartisan cosponsors
September 9, 2025Momentum for the ROCR Act continues to grow thanks to two new cosponsors in Reps. Eugene Vindman (D-VA) and Young Kim (R-CA).
House subcommittee advances health funding bill
September 5, 2025On September 2, the House Appropriations Labor-HHS subcommittee advanced its FY26 federal health funding bill to the full committee for consideration.
White House aims to centralize control over grants
August 20, 2025On August 7, President Donald Trump issued an executive order giving political appointees greater control over federal grants.
Senate Appropriators approve FY26 health funding
August 6, 2025On July 31, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill by a bipartisan vote of 26-3.
NCI to limit grant awards, Senate moves on health
July 30, 2025On July 23, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) announced that for fiscal year 2025 it will not establish a specific RO1 payline for applications not yet awarded.
ASTRO sends letter to Commerce Secretary opposing tariffs on radiopharmaceuticals and isotopes
July 30, 2025With other organizations, ASTRO sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressing concern about negative effects of potential tariffs on the import of radiopharmaceuticals, medical isotopes and related materials.
Are you prepared for massive Medicare changes? Register for ASTRO’s Town Hall
July 23, 2025ASTRO will host a Town Hall August 6, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Eastern time to review and garner feedback on major changes coming for radiation therapy coding and Medicare reimbursement.
MPFS Proposed Rule released; major changes proposed in radiation therapy coding
July 16, 2025CMS released the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule for 2026, which estimates a total impact of -1% for radiation oncology.
ROCR gains new cosponsor, supporters list grows
July 9, 2025The Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Act (S.1031 / H.R.2120) has gained a key cosponsor in House Cancer Caucus Co-chair Debbie Dingell (D-MI).
ASTRO sends letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee opposing extravasation legislation
July 9, 2025Together with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the American College of Radiology (ACR), the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, (SNMMI), ASTRO sent a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee opposing the Nuclear Medicine Clarification Act.
Reconciliation signed into law
July 9, 2025On July 4, President Trump signed HR.1, the Reconciliation bill into law. The legislation narrowly passed with all Democrats opposing. Included is a temporary 2.5% increase in Medicare Physician Fee Schedule payments for 2026; preservation of the current pass-through entity tax; and nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid spending reductions.
Senate passes Reconciliation Bill, includes one-year doc fix
July 2, 2025On July 1, the Senate passed its budget reconciliation bill (HR.1), which now returns to the House of Representatives for a final vote.
Health insurance groups announce reduction in Prior Auth red tape
June 25, 2025Major health insurers – including United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Elevance Health and many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans – have pledged to simplify their prior authorization process.
HEADS UP! Big implications for radiation oncology anticipated in Medicare Payment Rules
June 25, 2025ASTRO expects massive changes to radiation oncology when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) release the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) proposed rules in coming weeks.
Senate removes doc fix from budget bill
June 25, 2025On June 16, the Senate released its version of the massive budget bill that passed the House last month, removing from the House bill language to tie physician payments to inflation and making more severe Medicaid cuts.
June 2025 MedPAC Report to Congress released
June 18, 2025On Thursday, June 12, the June 2025 Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Report to Congress was released.
ASTRO joins partners addressing budget reconciliation and NIH funding
June 11, 2025ASTRO recently signed onto three letters addressing concerns related to congressional Republicans' budget reconciliation bill and proposed NIH funding cuts.
ROCR gets new cosponsor, spotlight during Hill Roundtable
June 11, 2025The Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Act (S.1031/HR.2120) has gained another key cosponsor in Senator Chris Coons (D-DE).
ASTRO supports bill lifting physicists' pay cap
June 4, 2025ASTRO has signed on in support of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act reintroduced by Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) in May.
White House budget proposes steep NIH, CDC cuts
June 4, 2025Late last week, the White House released its FY26 Budget in Brief, which proposes substantial cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Multi-jurisdictional superficial radiation therapy (SRT) proposed LCD released
June 4, 2025ASTRO has successfully secured exclusion of high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) and electronic brachytherapy in a PROPOSED draft Local Coverage Determination for SRT of Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC).
House passes mega bill that boosts doc pay, cuts Medicaid
May 28, 2025In a 215-214 party-line vote on May 22, House Republicans passed a mammoth budget bill that includes $9 billion in Medicare physician payments and $700 billion worth of Medicaid cuts.
White House proposes $18 billion in NIH cuts
May 7, 2025Last week, President Donald Trump submitted to Congress his FY26 "skinny" budget request, which proposes $18 billion in cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Mega House budget bill boosts doc pay, threatens Medicaid
May 7, 2025House Republicans unveiled new legislation this week that represents a mixed bag for physicians and radiation oncology, as it would infuse Medicare physician payments with nearly $9 billion while tying future payments to medical inflation, but at the same time reduce Medicaid spending by more than $700 billion.
NRC issues interim T&E guidance
April 30, 2025The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a final version of its Interim Staff Guidance (ISG) for Implementation of 10 CFR Part 35 Training and Experience (T&E) Requirements.
Inpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule released
April 23, 2025On April 11, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the FY 2026 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule.
ASTRO's 2025 EAGL awardees announced
April 16, 2025ASTRO is pleased to recognize the following Emerging Advocacy Grassroots Leadership (EAGL) grantees, and are looking forward to welcoming them to Washington, DC, in May to participate in Advocacy Day 2025.
ASTRO joins 500+ groups calling for NIH funding boost
April 9, 2025ASTRO joined with hundreds of organizations as part of the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research in an April 7 letter calling for a 9% increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for fiscal year 2026.
Nearly 100 strong, ROCR Act advocates urge passage in letter
April 2, 2025Organizations representing all corners of the radiation oncology community united on a March 26 letter to congressional leadership urging passage of the ROCR Act this year.
ASTRO shares Prior Auth impact at Patient Advocacy Forum
April 2, 2025ASTRO’s Health Policy Council Vice Chair Amar Rewari, MD, MBA, FASTRO, and Vice-president of Advocacy Dave Adler were featured on a panel discussing prior authorization at the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship’s Spring 2025 Cancer Policy Roundtable on March 27 in Washington, DC.
Senate confirms NIH, FDA directors
April 2, 2025Last week, the Senate voted along party lines to confirm Jayanta Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, to be the new Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Tech companies, private practice groups among latest ROCR supporters
March 26, 2025The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the association representing radiation therapy manufacturers, is among a slew of organizations, including several community-based private practice groups, that recently signed on in support of the Radiation Oncology Case Rate Act of 2025.
POTUS signs funding bill averting shutdown
March 19, 2025Last weekend President Trump signed the stopgap spending bill for FY2025, a continuing resolution (CR) that funds government programs through September 2025.
MedPAC report highlights Medicare payment challenges
March 19, 2025The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released its March 2025 report to Congress on March 14, which evaluates Medicare payment adequacy and makes policy recommendations for 2026.
Doc fix left behind in plan to avert shutdown
March 12, 2025The House of Representatives voted Tuesday to pass a six-month stopgap government funding plan, averting a shutdown and funding the government through September 2025; but the Republican plan did not include any relief from the 2.8% MPFS cuts that went into effect January 1. ASTRO joined other physician groups insisting that Congress address the physician cuts immediately.
ASTRO joins letter urging robust NIH funding
March 5, 2025ASTRO joined over 600 organizations and 3,511 private citizens in a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-TX), and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) urging robust investment in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for FY25.
ASTRO joins statement opposing NIH cuts
February 26, 2025As part of the One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) coalition, ASTRO joined 32 other organizations in a statement opposing recent cuts to federal health agencies.
ASTRO Town Hall on Medicare changes, ROCR Act
February 26, 2025On March 13, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, ASTRO will host a live Town Hall on Medicare payment developments and the ROCR Act, featuring new information and discussion with ASTRO physician leaders on upcoming Medicare coding changes and the latest legislative activity on the Radiation Oncology Case Rate Act.
AMA Physician Practice Information Survey recommends a 40% cut to RT services
February 12, 2025The American Medical Association (AMA) released a report summarizing the findings of the Physician Practice Information Survey (PPIS).
ASTRO outlines legislative priorities for 119th Congress
February 12, 2025In a letter addressed to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), ASTRO encouraged legislators to act on priorities affecting radiation oncology and the people with cancer they treat.
NIH cuts overhead costs; States sue to block
February 12, 2025Late last week the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced it would cut billions of dollars in overhead costs. In a social media post, NIH said the change would save more than $4 billion a year and would be effective immediately, and focused on “indirect costs,” which include administrative requirements, facilities and other operations.
Payment stability bill introduced, would reverse 2025 cuts
February 5, 2025Last week, a bipartisan group of legislators introduced the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, which would reverse the current 2.83% cuts to Medicare physician payments and provide a 2% update for 2025.
CMS seeks to improve care and access for Medicare Advantage enrollees
January 29, 2025The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Medicare Contract Year 2026 Proposed Rule, seeking to improve upon prior authorization policies established by the Medicare Contract Year 2024 final rule.
MedPAC recommends tying MPFS update to MEI
January 22, 2025The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) is an independent congressional agency established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to advise Congress on issues affecting the Medicare Program.
Matthew Marzano sworn in as NRC Commissioner
January 15, 2025On January 8, 2025, Matthew J. Marzano, was sworn in as NRC Commissioner, filling the last open seat on the Commission.
Congress fails to address physician priorities in 2024
December 21, 2024A chaotic lame duck Congress finished 2024 without blocking Medicare physician payment cuts or restricting prior authorization, a deeply disappointing finish for physicians and radiation oncology.
Congress nears end of lame-duck sprint
December 18, 2024Congressional leaders released text on December 18 for year-end legislation that represents a mixed bag for radiation oncology.
Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act
December 11, 2024ASTRO joined 230 organizations in support of the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (S.2372 / HR.4758).
Lorna Breen Reauth
December 11, 2024ASTRO joined nearly 60 associations and organizations in support of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act (S.3679/HR.7153).
Potential temporary doc fix takes shape
December 11, 2024Congress is considering a one-year 2.5% increase in the Medicare physician payment adjustment as part of a lame-duck health care deal.
ASTRO PAC candidates reelected overwhelmingly
December 11, 2024ASTRO PAC had a successful 2024 election cycle, as 96% of supported candidates won their respective elections for Congress.
Hospitals, state cancer groups expand list of ROCR Act supporters
December 10, 2024One of the country’s top 10 largest hospital systems and nine oncology societies have signed on in support of the ROCR Act recently.
ASTRO joins over 70 organizations in support of clinical trial modernization bill
November 27, 2024ASTRO recently joined 73 patient advocacy, public health and provider organizations in a letter to Congress expressing support for the bipartisan Clinical Trial Modernization Act (H.R.8412).
ASTRO, others join letter to Congress: Stop the 2025 reimbursement cut NOW
November 20, 2024ASTRO joined 129 organizations in a letter to Congress urging swift action to both prevent the scheduled 2.83 percent payment cut under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and provide a positive payment update for 2025.
CMS finalizes limited change for 2025 Quality Payment Program
November 13, 2024The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the 2025 Quality Payment Program (QPP) final rule.
Tell your members of Congress to support prior auth reform
November 13, 2024Tell Congress to cosponsor the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act to reform prior authorization using our convenient grassroots tool!
Congress to CMS: End MA abuses and hold plans accountable
November 6, 2024Democratic leaders in the House and Senate sent a joint letter to CMS voicing concerns and encouraging swift action to address MA plan enrollee abuse. Senate Finance Committee Chair Wyden (D-OR) joined by Ranking Member Pallone (D-NJ) of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Congressman Neal (D-MA) highlighted concerns about ongoing MA problems finding, purchasing and using Medicare Advantage plans particularly for prior authorization requests.
2025 Medicare payment final rules released
November 5, 2024On Friday, November 1, the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) final rules were released.
Radiation Oncology Targeted for More Payment Cuts in 2025
November 1, 2024The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule that includes payment reductions for key radiation therapy codes.
New bill aims to fix Medicare reimbursements for 2025
October 30, 2024On October 29, congressional leaders on Medicare payment reform introduced an ASTRO-supported bill that would take steps to repair the broken Medicare reimbursement system.
ASTRO submits comments to NRC on draft T&E guidance
October 30, 2024ASTRO submitted comments to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on its Draft Interim Staff Guidance: Guidance for the Implementation of Training and Experience Requirements.
ASTRO Chair joins White House event on global cancer
October 29, 2024On October 25, ASTRO Chair Howard Sandler, MD, MS, FASTRO, was invited to participate in a White House roundtable discussion on the potential generation of a Global Cancer Fund.
BCBS agrees to pay $2.8 billion settlement in anti-trust lawsuit
October 22, 2024Resolving a 12-year anti-trust lawsuit, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has agreed to a settlement amount of $2.8 billion, the largest ever for a health care anti-trust case.
ASTRO supports September 30 as Rare Cancer Day
October 21, 2024ASTRO Board of Directors Chair Howard Sandler, MD, MS, FASTRO sent a letter to lead sponsor Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA) in support of House Resolution H.Res. 1521, designating September 30 as Rare Cancer Day.
Staying engaged after DC
October 16, 2024Talking with the hundreds of attendees that stopped by the ASTROPAC Pod last week, the most common comment the ASTRO Advocacy team heard was: “I am looking for ways to get engaged.”
Leaders in Congress call for payment reform
October 16, 2024Last week, 233 members of Congress called on House Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries to prioritize legislation that will finally fix the broken Medicare reimbursement system.
ASTRO Government Relations Resident Fellow selected
September 25, 2024We are excited to announce that Mustafa Basree, DO, MS, a resident at the University of Wisconsin was selected as ASTRO’s 2025 Government Relations Resident Fellow.
ASTRO signs on to letter advocating for annual inflation adjustment
September 18, 2024ASTRO joined over 120 organizations in a letter to congressional leadership advocating for Medicare physician payments to be adjusted each year with an inflationary update.
National Cancer Institute releases FY26 annual plan and budget proposal
September 11, 2024On September 4, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) released its FY26 Annual Plan and Professional Judgement Budget Proposal.
ASTRO comments on 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rules
September 9, 2024ASTRO submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) proposed rules.
NRC releases Information Notice on administration of radiopharmaceuticals
September 3, 2024The NRC issued an Information Notice to inform licensees of recent reported medical events that involved the administration of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals and does not impose new requirements or need for action.
Amar Rewari, MD, MBA, FASTRO, appointed Health Policy Council Vice-chair
August 30, 2024ASTRO’s Board of Directors has appointed Amar Rewari, MD, MBA, FASTRO, to serve as the Vice-chair of the Health Policy Council.
ASTRO IMRT Model Policy updated
August 28, 2024The ASTRO Board of Directors approved an updated IMRT Model Policy.
ASTRO responds to congressional RFI on Cures 2.0
August 5, 2024ASTRO sent a response to a congressional Request for Information (RFI) on ways to fully realize the goals of the 21st Century Cures Act and Cures 2.0. Cures 2.0 aimed to build on the success of the 21st Century Cures Act by focusing on ways to modernize coverage and access to life-saving cures.
ASTRO calls on Congress for MACRA reform, payment relief
July 30, 2024ASTRO joined more than 125 physician groups asking Congress to prioritize physician payment reforms to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).
RadOnc stakeholders send ROCR Act endorsements to Congress
July 24, 2024ASTRO’s ROCR Act advocacy received another big boost, as we sent two important endorsement letters (Cancer Leadership Council and ROCR Act Support) up to Capitol Hill yesterday.
ASTRO Health Policy Fellowship Program now Accepting Applications
July 22, 2024ASTRO is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 Health Policy Fellowship.
Palmetto rejections for simulations and 3-D plans resolved
July 22, 2024Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), Palmetto, has advised ASTRO that a coding issue in which simulations (CPT 77290) and 3D plans (CPT 77295) were rejected, particularly in breast cancer cases, has been resolved. Members had been experiencing inappropriate claim rejections for these codes from Palmetto and other Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in that region.
2025 MPFS and HOPPS proposed rules released
July 15, 2024On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule.
ASTRO GR leader testifies before U.S. Senate committee
July 15, 2024On July 11, the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) invited ASTRO Congressional Relations Subcommittee Vice Chair Fumiko Chino, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering, to present expert testimony regarding “What can Congress do to end the medical debt crisis in America?” Dr. Chino shared with the Committee her personal research into health care affordability and financial toxicity associated with diagnoses, as well as her personal experience with medical debt and the soaring costs of care.
Radiation oncology physician payments to continue tumble, but Medicare proposes no new cuts
July 10, 2024The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed no additional direct payment cuts to radiation therapy physician services, but existing policies will continue to depress payments next year.
ASTRO Supervision Work Group recommendations approved by Board
July 2, 2024ASTRO’s Supervision Work Group, which included volunteers from academic and private practices, rural and urban settings, and with diverse practice patterns and perspectives, was created to inform ASTRO’s position in response to changes to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) supervision policies.
MedPAC report calls for physician payment reform and addresses prior authorization
June 18, 2024The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) issued its June report calling for physician payment reform. MedPAC is an independent congressional agency that advises Congress on Medicare payment policy.
ASTRO responds to Senate Finance White Paper on Payment Reform
June 17, 2024The Senate Committee on Finance recently issued a “Bolstering Chronic Care through Physician Payment: Current Challenges and Policy Options in Medicare Part B” white paper for public comment.
ASTRO-supported prior auth reform bill is back
June 12, 2024The bipartisan Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act was reintroduced this week. The ASTRO-backed bill adopts common sense prior authorization reforms.
ASTRO signs on to letter opposing extravasation legislation
June 4, 2024ASTRO has signed on to a letter opposing H.R.6815.
American College of Mohs Surgery comes out against use of image guidance and simulation with SRT
May 20, 2024The American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) has issued letters to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), Palmetto, regarding the inappropriate use of image guidance and simulation with Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT).
ASTRO launches supervision work group and issues updated FAQs
May 1, 2024A supervision work group has been established to inform ASTRO’s position in response to changes to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) supervision policy.
FTC bans most noncompete clauses
April 30, 2024The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted 3-2 on April 30 to ban noncompete contractual agreements for most US workers, including health care workers, setting up likely legal challenges.
2024 ASTRO EAGL (Emerging Advocacy Grassroots Leadership) Awards announced
April 22, 2024ASTRO is pleased to recognize the following Emerging Advocacy Grassroots Leadership (EAGL) grantees, and looks forward to welcoming them to Washington, DC, in May to participate in Advocacy Day 2024.
Payer guidance mixed on image guidance with SRT
April 9, 2024ASTRO issues supervision FAQs and blog post in advance of Town Hall
April 2, 2024ASTRO has developed a Supervision FAQ document responding to recent questions regarding supervision policy, as well as a blog post detailing ASTRO’s regulatory review process, in advance of the Friday, April 5 Town Hall meeting.
ASTRO Town Hall: Supervision in Radiation Oncology
April 1, 2024Learn more about how to sign up for ASTRO's virtual town hall discussion on direct supervision.
MedPAC releases March 2024 Report to Congress
March 25, 2024The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released its March 2024 Report to Congress recommending minor increases to physician reimbursement in 2025.
Congress completes FY 2024 funding: Increases to NIH and NCI
March 21, 2024ASTRO sends SRT sign-on letter to CMS
March 19, 2024Change Healthcare Cyberattack
March 12, 2024New spending deal partially mitigates Medicare pay cut
March 4, 2024ASTRO advocates for a return to direct supervision
March 1, 2024ASTRO continues fight for a fix to MPFS cuts and other policy priorities in 2024
February 21, 2024ASTRO and other physician-representing organizations have been tirelessly lobbying Congress to mitigate the reimbursement cuts in the FY24 MPFS that went into effect January 1.
ASTRO and OVAC Coalition urge Congress to adequately fund NIH and NCI
February 13, 2024ASTRO joined 49 organizations, comprising the One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) coalition, in sending a letter to leadership on the House Committee on Appropriations urging prioritization of funding for cancer research and prevention in ongoing negotiations on the FY24 Appropriations bill.
