Health Policy Report – September 9, 2025

Representative Marc Veasey (D-TX) Visits Texas Center for Proton Therapy

On August 25, the Texas Center for Proton Therapy in Irving, Texas, proudly welcomed Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX) for a site visit. As the only proton therapy center in Texas offering advanced technologies such as pencil-beam scanning for intensity-modulated proton therapy and cone beam CT imaging, the Center is at the forefront of delivering precise, high-quality cancer care.

Dr. Manish Gupta, Practice Director Anthony Salazar, Practice Administrator Lauryn Lane, and the entire Proton Center team led an informative and engaging tour, highlighting the innovative treatments available to patients across the region. The visit included a robust discussion on the importance of supporting cutting-edge therapies like proton therapy and the potential unintended consequences of the Inflation Reduction Act—particularly concerns around drug pricing negotiations that could disrupt timely access to life-saving treatments.

The conversation also addressed the need for a more sustainable reimbursement model for radiation oncology. Key topics included support for the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) model and the advancement of site-neutral payment reforms to ensure equitable care across all treatment settings.

We are deeply grateful to Congressman Veasey and his team for taking the time to visit and engage with our staff. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, Rep. Veasey brings a valuable perspective to the ongoing policy discussions shaping the future of healthcare. We especially appreciate his continued advocacy and support for access to high-quality cancer care.

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

Part B ASP Coalition Sends Letter on Protecting Patient Access to Complex Cancer Treatments and Therapies Coalition
On August 22, the Part B ASP Coalition sent a letter to Congressmen Greg Murphy (R-NC), Adam Gray (D-CA), and Neal Dunn (R-FL) applauding introduction of the Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act of 2025 (H.R. 2499) which, if enacted, will hold physicians harmless from the Medicare drug price negotiation provisions included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). 

Under the IRA, reimbursement for negotiated Part B drugs will no longer be based on “Average Sales Price” (ASP) but rather a new rate called the “Maximum Fair Price” (MFP). This technical change is expected to reduce physician reimbursement under Medicare by $56.3 billion over ten years. 

“Prior to the passage of the IRA, the healthcare provider community warned that the cuts to add-on payments for Part B drugs included in the bill would place extreme pressure on practice viability. Nevertheless, lawmakers moved forward with the provision, knowing they would further exacerbate the reimbursement cuts that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been implementing for years now. Practices are closing, especially in rural areas, and consolidating into the more expensive hospital setting. This new round of IRA induced reimbursement cuts will make a terrible situation even worse,” the letter read. 

As Congress reconvenes, The Network looks forward to continuing to work alongside lawmakers to advance the Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act of 2025 (H.R. 2499). 

To read the letter, CLICK HERE. 

Secretary Kennedy Testifies Before Senate Finance Committee
On September 4, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), appeared before the Senate Finance Committee, a week after making significant changes to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

In a series of tense exchanges, senators pressed Secretary Kennedy on the ouster of Susan Monarez, the former CDC director, and on vaccines. Questions about COVID-19 elicited strong reactions from Secretary Kennedy, who points to the government’s policies throughout the pandemic as proof that major reforms are needed at HHS and the agencies it oversees. 

Republicans, including Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) also voiced concerns about Kennedy’s approach on vaccines in recent months. “Secretary Kennedy, in your confirmation hearings, you promised to uphold the highest standards for vaccines,” Senator Barrasso said. “Since then, I’ve grown deeply concerned.”

Senators on both sides of the aisle used the opportunity to underscore key healthcare priorities, including the need for long-term physician payment reform and greater oversight of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), signaling bipartisan interest in advancing meaningful policy solutions.

To read more, CLICK HERE. 

Congress Returns to Session, Government Shutdown Looms
Lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill after an extended recess with a lengthy to-do list, including efforts to prevent a government shutdown when funding for federal agencies expires on September 30^th including some healthcare extenders such as telehealth flexibilities. 

As in previous years, lawmakers are expected to rely on a short-term funding measure—known as a continuing resolution—to keep federal agencies operating temporarily. This stopgap bill is likely to include broadly supported provisions, such as the extension of telehealth flexibilities. To pass a funding extension, however, Republicans will need Democratic votes. These negotiations are expected to be further complicated by the Trump administration’s efforts to claw back previously approved spending, including for foreign aid. 

The fight over healthcare funding has already proved contentious. The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee voted 11 to 7 along party lines to send their funding bill to the full House Appropriations Committee Tuesday night. The measure, if enacted, would cut $7 billion from the Health and Human Services Department’s discretionary funding,

Congressional Democrats quickly denounced the proposal’s funding slashes for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and programs that support maternal and child health.

To read more, CLICK HERE.

Survey Highlights Nationwide Shortage of Physicians
A new survey of physicians from Medscape highlights the growing severity of the nationwide doctor shortage. Approximately two-thirds of respondents (63%) reported a shortfall of qualified applicants for physician openings in their community. This not only has an impact on patient access, with 16% of respondents saying new patients have been turned away due to a lack of physicians, but it generates substantial strain on the current workforce, as approximately four-in-ten doctors said the nationwide physician shortage increases their patient count and work hours.

According to those surveyed, the shortage of primary care physicians was more pronounced than any other medical specialty. Meanwhile, just 12% of physicians felt confident or very confident that the United States’ physician shortage would improve over the next decade. Unless addressed, the impact will continue to be pronounced for patients and physicians alike.

To read the survey, CLICK HERE.

To read more, CLICK HERE.

CDC Director Ousted, Other Agency Leaders Resign
On August 27, the Trump Administration abruptly fired Susan Monarez, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after less than one month on the job. After Dr. Monarez was let go from the CDC, other CDC leaders, whom Dr. Monarez had been directed to fire, tendered their resignations. Deputy Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Jim O’Neill was selected to serve as acting Director of the CDC in place of Dr. Monarez.

Dr. Monarez has publicly protested her ouster, including in an op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal, where she claimed that she was let go for refusing to pre-approve forthcoming Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said this was false.

Senators from both parties expressed concern about the chaos at the CDC and promised oversight during an explosive Senate Finance Committee hearing with Secretary Kennedy on September 4.

To read more, CLICK HERE.