COA Endorses Community Cancer Care Preservation Act of 2005

The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) has endorsed the Community Cancer Preservation Act of 2005 which was recently introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Jim Ramstad (R-Minnesota). The proposed legislation will:

• Fix reimbursement problems caused by Medicare’s average sales price method of reimbursement

• Continue the existing chemotherapy demonstration project

• Direct the secretary of Health and Human Services to work with community oncologists to help define measures of quality care

• Instruct the director of the National Cancer Institute to work with community oncologists to help increase enrollment in clinical trials

• Require the Congressional Budget Office to analyze the impact of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) on oncologists and others involved in cancer care

"Congressman Ramstad, along with many other members of Congress, understands our concerns about patient access and quality care. This bill makes great headway in resolving these concerns," said Leonard Kalman, MD President of COA. A summary of the Community Cancer Care Preservation Act of 2005 can be found on the COA website under “Immediate Action Needed.”