ARLINGTON, Va., July 18: In response to today’s introduction of the Patients First Act, legislation aimed at improving patient access to care, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued the following statement from CEO Vivek Kavadi, MD, MBA, FASTRO.
“The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) applauds Representatives John Joyce, Greg Murphy and Kim Schrier, along with their physician colleagues in Congress, for introducing the bipartisan Patients First Act. Their leadership reflects a growing recognition that meaningful physician payment reform is essential to preserve patient access to care and strengthen independent medical practices. More than 50 million Americans already lack local access to radiation therapy services, and recent clinic closures show the consequences of continued inaction. The Patients First Act, and the already introduced Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Act, together would help ensure patients can continue receiving high-quality cancer care close to home.
For radiation oncology, the need for action is especially urgent. Recent national research has documented a growing number of radiation oncology clinic cutbacks and closures, particularly among freestanding centers in rural and underserved communities. Community cancer centers are struggling to absorb years of reimbursement decreases while maintaining the highly specialized workforce, advanced technology and infrastructure required to deliver lifesaving cancer treatment. At the same time, Medicare payment cuts have continued even as advances in radiation therapy allow patients to receive equally effective care in fewer visits, highlighting a growing disconnect between quality and reimbursement.
These challenges are precisely why bipartisan leaders in Congress, including Rep. Joyce, introduced the ROCR Act. ROCR would complement the Patients First Act by creating a more stable and predictable payment framework that supports community-based cancer care while generating Medicare savings that could help offset the cost of broader physician payment reforms. The legislation has 42 bipartisan cosponsors across both chambers, including several physician members of Congress. More than 130 patient, provider and healthcare organizations signed a May letter supporting its inclusion in broader physician payment reform efforts.
ASTRO looks forward to working with Congress to advance both the Patients First Act and the ROCR Act as part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen independent physician practices, improve Medicare payment stability, and ensure that cancer patients can continue to receive timely, high-quality treatment in their local communities. We thank Representatives Joyce, Murphy and Schrier, and the many physician leaders in Congress who are working to put patients first and build a more sustainable future for patient care.”