ASTRO hosts congressional lunch briefing

On July 14, ASTRO hosted a congressional lunch briefing in conjunction with House Cancer Caucus leadership. The event brought together congressional staff, policymakers, physicians and radiation oncology stakeholders to discuss key issues affecting cancer care. The briefing highlighted the growing challenges facing radiation oncology practices and patients as a result of the current Medicare billing code crisis. Panelists also showcased the significant role that radiation therapy plays in modern cancer care and ongoing innovation in the field. The briefing concluded with a discussion of the Radiation Oncology Case Rate Act (ROCR) and how the legislation would provide much-needed reimbursement stability in the long term. Twenty-six congressional offices were represented and House Cancer Caucus Co-chairs Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) also served as guest speakers.

Briefing panelists included:

• Vivek Kavadi, MD, FASTRO, Chief Executive Officer, ASTRO
• Sameer Keole, MD, FASTRO, Chair, ASTRO Board of Directors
• Shelley Fuld Nasso, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Nation
• Casey Chollet-Lipscomb, MD, FASTRO, Chair, ASTRO Government Relations Council