Health Policy Reports

OPPS Proposed Rule Advances Site Neutral Pay, 340B Reforms On July 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2027 proposed rule for the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS). The proposed rule would increase payments to hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers by 2.4% (3.2% market basket minus 0.8% productivity adjustment). If…

Dr. Jason Taksey Pens LTE in Support of H.R. 4299  In a letter to the editor published in the Easton Star Democrat, Dr. Jason Taksey of Maryland Oncology Hematology thanked Representative Andy Harris, M.D. (R-MD), for cosponsoring the Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act (H.R. 4299). Dr. Taksey emphasized the importance of…

Drs. Busby and Parikh Author JCO-OP Article on Physician Advocacy Dr. Les Busby, Chief Medical Officer of The US Oncology Network, and Dr. Rupesh Parikh, Practice President of the Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, recently authored an article on the importance of physician advocacy in the Journal of Clinical Oncology – Oncology Practice. “Physician voices…

Texas Oncology Leaders Meet with Governor Greg Abbott to Highlight Community Cancer Care Across Texas On May 22, leaders from Texas Oncology met with Governor Greg Abbott for a discussion on the critical role of community oncology in Texas. Dr. Paulson, Dr. Patt, and Dr. Taylor highlighted the importance of high-quality care, the need for…

The US Oncology Network Hosts Congressional Briefing and PAC Board Fly-In On May 13, The US Oncology Network hosted a congressional briefing on the real-world impact of Medicare Part B drug reimbursement changes on patients and independent physicians. The briefing featured a panel of physicians, including Dr. Debra Patt, President of the Community Oncology Alliance…

The US Oncology Network Holds NPB Annual Meeting The Network’s Spring National Policy Board Meeting was held April 21–22 in Tucson, Arizona, bringing together physician leaders and executives for thoughtful discussion on the policy and market forces shaping community oncology. Among the many impactful sessions was a candid conversation on the evolution from quiet pressure…

Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN) Meets with Senator Cortez MastoOn Friday, April 10, The US Oncology Network, alongside Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN), met with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) in Las Vegas, Nevada to discuss H.R. 4299, the Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act. The discussion focused on the…

Dr. Sucharu Prakash Pens Op-Ed in the Washington Times Dr. Sucharu “Chris” Prakash, Regional Medical Director at Texas Oncology, recently published an op-ed in the Washington Times highlighting the need to limit harmful mandates from health insurance companies. Dr. Prakash reflects on one particular case when he prescribed a medication to a patient with chronic…

Dr. Randy Drosick Testifies Before Ohio House Insurance Committee On March 17, Randy Drosick, MD, Practice President at Oncology Hematology Care (OHC), traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to testify before the Ohio House Insurance Committee in support of SB 682, which aims to prevent white bagging mandates in the physician office setting. During his testimony, Dr….

Illinois CancerCare and Illinois Cancer Specialists Attend First US Oncology Advocacy Day in Springfield, Illinois On March 4, community oncology leaders from across Illinois attended the first-ever US Oncology Network Advocacy Day in Springfield. Dr. Paul Fishkin of Illinois CancerCare, along with Dr. Destry Elms and Dr. David Hakimian of Illinois Cancer Specialists, joined members…