Health Policy Updates

The US Oncology Network submitted comments on Friday, August 2 in response to Representatives Dianna DeGette (D-CO) and Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) request for information on the 21st Century Cures Initiative.

Dr. Moshe Chasky, a hematologist-oncologist at Alliance Cancer Specialists, authored a letter to the editor (LTE) published in The Washington Post on July 27, 2024.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas— The US Oncology Network, a national network of independent physicians delivering value-based, integrated, cancer care in the community setting, today expressed deep concerns with the continued cuts to physician reimbursement in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule for Calendar Year (CY) 2025.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and Quality Payment Program (QPP).

The report is part of an ongoing inquiry launched by the FTC in 2022 on PBMs and their impact on access to and affordability of medicines. 

The US Oncology Network recently submitted comments in response to a Request for Information (RFI) from the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Federal Trade Commission on the drivers and effects of consolidation in healthcare markets.

On May 30, the CMS Innovation Center announced several updates to the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM), effective for current EOM participants on January 1, 2025.

Dr. Allyson Harroff of Texas Oncology penned a letter to the editor (LTE) in the San Marcos Daily Record that ran on May 26, as a follow up to a recent site visit by Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX).

On May 23, the House Budget Committee held a hearing entitled, “Breaking Up Health Care Monopolies: Examining the Budgetary Effects of Health Care Consolidation.”

If signed into law, the bill would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue rulemaking establishing a ROCR program in Medicare for radiation oncology practices across the country.