Health Policy Report – July 22, 2025
CMS Releases Proposed Rules on PFS & HOPPS The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2026 proposed rules for the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS). Both rules signaled that the Trump Administration has taken notice of declining physician pay and intends to address payment…
Health Policy Report – July 8, 2025
Tennessee Cancer Specialists and SCRI Oncology Partners Thank Congresswoman Harshbarger for Introducing HR 2484 Tennessee Cancer Specialists and SCRI Oncology Partners recently released a statement thanking Representative Diane Harshbarger (R-TN) for introducing H.R. 2484, the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act, which recently passed the House Energy & Commerce Committee. If passed, the bill would…
Health Policy Report – June 24, 2025
Dr. John Schuler Pens Letter to the Editor on SB 125 in Oregon Following his testimony to the Oregon Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue, Dr. John Schuler, a radiation oncologist at Compass Oncology, penned a letter to the editor (LTE) in the Southwest Connection in support of SB 125. If passed, SB 125 would…
Health Policy Report – June 10, 2025
Nevada Legislature Passes SB 189The Nevada Governor recently signed SB 189 into law, which establishes licensure for genetic counselors in the state. Genetic counseling is a growing field, and oncology genetic counselors work with patients with a current diagnosis or family history of cancer to assess the likelihood of genetic risk factors. However, Nevada did…
Health Policy Report – May 28, 2025
Maryland Oncology Hematology Attends Bill Signing Ceremony at Maryland Capitol On May 20, The Network’s government relations team and Maryland Oncology Hematology (MOH) attended a bill signing ceremony at the Maryland State Capitol. During the ceremony, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed HB 1243 and SB 975 into law, which will permit cancer patients to access…
Health Policy Report – May 13, 2025
The US Oncology Network Participates in the Community Oncology Alliance’s Annual Conference The US Oncology Network attended the Community Oncology Alliance’s (COA) annual conference on April 29th and 30th. This year’s theme, “Empower & Advocate: Independent Community Oncology,” provided a vibrant platform for discussions focused on enhancing access to community cancer care. Ben Jones, our…
Health Policy Report – April 30, 2025
House Energy & Commerce Committee Holds Markup on the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act On April 29, the House Energy & Commerce Committee held a markup on six healthcare bills, including H.R. 2484, the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act. In a vote of 38-7, the committee advanced the bill, which would establish an…
Health Policy Report – April 15, 2025
CCCN Holds Day at the Capitol On April 2, Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN) held its Day at the Capitol in Carson City, Nevada. Throughout the day, CCCN physicians, providers, patients, and administrative staff met with more than 20 members of the Nevada Senate and General Assembly, as well as Governor Joe Lombardo’s health…
Health Policy Report – April 1, 2025
Representatives Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) Introduce Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act On March 31, Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) introduced H.R. 2484, the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act. If passed, the bill would clarify that patients can access medications through mail delivery, courier, or pickup by a…
Health Policy Report – March 18, 2025
Maryland House Advances HB 1243The Maryland House of Delegates recently voted to advance HB 1243, which creates a limited exception to current law to permit cancer patients to access specialty drugs from community oncology practices. During a February hearing on this bill in the House Health and Government Operations Committee, Dr. Kash Firozvi of Maryland…