ASTRO writes Congress on protecting access, reducing health care costs
October 16, 2023
ASTRO urged Congress to enact the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) program in comment letters in response to Requests for Information (RFI) from the House Ways and Means Committee and the Budget Committee Health Care Task Force. The Ways and Means RFI sought insights on opportunities to improve access for rural and underserved populations, whereas the Health Care Task Force sought feedback on ways to reduce health care spending. In both letters, ASTRO highlighted the high-value that radiation oncology brings to cancer care and shared information on how ROCR would stabilize payments and improve access to care via transportation support payments, while generating Medicare savings. See ASTRO comment letter and House Committee on Ways & Means letter.