Health Policy Report – October 20, 2026

WVCI Hosts Site Visit with State Representative Nathanson

On October 6, State Representative Nancy Nathanson visited Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center’s (WVCI) practice in Eugene. During the discussion with Dr. Lonergan and Dr. Gordon, State Representative Nathanson learned about how WVCI’s community oncology model provides high-quality, comprehensive cancer care close to home.

The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss the broader financial and administrative issues facing independent community oncology practices, with a particular focus on Oregon’s Corporate Activity Tax (CAT). The conversation focused on how the CAT applies to costly physician-administered cancer drugs that practices must purchase, store, prepare, and administer. The physicians explained that the associated revenue largely represents a pass-through expense rather than practice income or profit.

The group discussed how taxing the full cost of these medications creates a disproportionate burden for oncology practices, which are unable to offset the tax through increased reimbursement or prices.

WVCI asked Representative Nathanson, who chairs the Oregon House Committee on Revenue, to consider a targeted CAT exemption for physician-administered drugs to help sustain independent practices and preserve access to lower-cost, community-based cancer care.

If your practice is interested in hosting a site visit, please contact Angela Storseth at angela.storseth@usoncology.com.

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Holds Event with Congresswoman Kathy Castor

On October 7, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute hosted Congresswoman Kathy Castor for a site visit.

During the visit, Dr. Richard McDonough, Dr. David Wenk, and Dr. Matthew Fink spoke with Congresswoman Castor about the value of community oncology in providing cost-effective, local care to patients. The discussion centered around the need for Congress to advance the Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act (H.R. 4299) and Patients First Act (H.R. 9693), both of which would help ensure sustainable reimbursement for community oncology clinics.

Congresswoman Castor currently serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over healthcare issues.  

If your practice is interested in hosting a site visit, please contact Angela Storseth at angela.storseth@usoncology.com.

CMS Proposes PBM Transparency Requirements

On October 16, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule implementing several pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) transparency and accountability provisions passed in the Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Starting in 2028, the rule would limit PBM compensation to flat service fees not linked to factors such as the cost of the drug, rebate agreements with drugmakers, or its placement on a formulary. It would also require PBMs to annually report information on drug prices, use, formularies, and how much they pay pharmacies.

Separately, the rule would require Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to check that their provider directors are accurate at least every ninety days.

To read more, CLICK HERE.  

Patient Groups Send Letter in Support of Patients First Act

On October 5, a group of patient and disease advocacy groups sent a letter to House and Senate leadership urging the passage of the bipartisan Patients First Act (H.R. 9693) this Congress.

The joint letter expresses profound concern over the financial and operational challenges facing physicians across the United States, which are limiting access to care for patients. The organizations encourage Congress to advance the Patients First Act, which would reform Medicare’s physician payment by tying reimbursement updates to medical inflation and updating budget neutrality policies to more accurately reflect the costs of care.

“Over the years, leaders from both parties have worked diligently to push back against statutory cuts to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and improve value-based care. The Patients First Act is a promising and bipartisan culmination of that foundational work and represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to stabilize America’s healthcare system and strengthen patient access,” the letter read.

To read the letter, CLICK HERE.

PhRMA Files Lawsuit Challenging GLOBE Model

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the pharmaceutical industry’s largest lobbying group, recently filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s most favored nation drug pricing model for Medicare Part B drugs.

The lawsuit argues that the Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing (GLOBE) model exceeds the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ authority and requires congressional approval. PhRMA also claims that the model will negatively impact patients and threaten research and development initiatives.

The GLOBE model was finalized and is currently set to be implemented on January 1, 2027.

To read more, CLICK HERE.

CMS Outlines Reforms to 340B Drug Pricing Program

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released a report outlining the unintended consequences of the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

The report outlines how the 340B program provides hospitals with financial incentives to administer more expensive medications and acquire physician practices and infusion clinics to capture additional 340B revenue. The authors highlight that the program has grown dramatically, with 340B drug sales increasing from $12 billion in 2015 to $81 billion in 2024.

The report comes as CMS is proposing a reduction in 340B hospital reimbursement rates to better align with acquisition costs.

To read more, CLICK HERE.