Coronavirus and Cancer Resources for Survivors
Cancer survivors have expressed concerns and questions about COVID-19, the coronavirus, and how they may be at higher risk due to their cancer history. Here are some resources about COVID-19 generally, and its impact for cancer survivors specifically. NCCS is seeking answers from public health experts on the coronavirus and its impact on cancer patients and survivors. Please leave a comment [...]
NCCS Health Care Roundup: Opposing Medicare Part D Changes; Medicare-for-All Comparisons; Cancer Patients Suicide Risk Study; More
Protecting Medicare Part D's Protected Classes and Congressional Updates — This week, NCCS joined the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in a campaign against proposed Medicare Part D changes. More than 50 groups joined the campaign in opposition to the administration’s proposal to change Medicare Part D's protected classes drug coverage, which would give Medicare plans the option to limit coverage of drugs in six categories, [...]
NCCS Webinar Video: “The Outlook for Health Care in the New Congress”
Health care was the number one issue for a majority of voters in the 2018 midterm elections. With the House majority changing hands and a split Congress, in this webinar we discuss election implications on health care and what to expect in the new Congress. We also provide an overview of how you can connect with new and returning Members of Congress to help them better [...]
House Votes to Intervene in ACA Lawsuit; Drug Pricing News; Colon Cancer Rates Rising in Young Adults; More
This week, the House of Representatives voted to formally intervene in Texas v. United States, the lawsuit seeking to invalidate the Affordable Care Act (ACA). With support from three Republican members, it passed by a vote of 235-192. The resolution now heads to the Senate where Republican leaders will likely not bring it up for a vote. This vote follows passage of last week’s provision authorizing the House legal counsel to defend the law. [...]
Remembering Richard Payne, MD
With great sadness, we mourn the passing of former NCCS Board Chair Richard Payne, MD, on January 4. Dr. Payne was a member of the NCCS Board of Directors from 2005 to 2012; he served as Board Chair from 2010 to 2011. Thoughtful, deliberative, and soft spoken, Dr. Payne was a valued and collaborative leader of NCCS. A lover of books and golf, he was always attentive and generous to his extended family, both personal and professional. [...]
NCCS Applauds House Vote on Behalf of Patients to Defend the ACA and Its Pre-Existing Condition Protections
Today, the House of Representatives voted to formally intervene in Texas v. United States, the lawsuit seeking to invalidate the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The resolution passed the House by a vote of 235-192, with three Republican members voting in support. The resolution now heads to the Senate where Republican leaders will likely not bring it up for a vote. “The Supreme Court ruled repeatedly that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is constitutional [...]
NCCS Letter to CMS Highlights Concerns About Proposed Medicare Part B Reforms
On December 31st, NCCS submitted our final comment letter of the year to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the advance notice of proposed rulemaking for the Medicare Part B drug program.
In the letter, we outlined concerns that this proposal could have on Medicare beneficiaries such as impacts on patient access to innovative therapies, as well as concerns regarding the enormous scope of the test. NCCS suggested [...]
NCCS “Not Persuaded” Drug Pricing in DTC Ads Will Improve Doctor-Patient Communication
Earlier this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would require information about drug costs be included in direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements of prescription drugs and biological products. NCCS issued a statement regarding the proposal, saying, “While we understand [...]
NCCS Statement on District Court Ruling Affordable Care Act Unconstitutional
Silver Spring, M.D. – The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), a national organization representing survivors of all…
Remembering Kathryn West
Last weekend, the patient advocacy community lost a fierce advocate, leader, and innovator in raising awareness of the issues cancer survivors experience. Kathryn West, oncology nurse and fierce advocate for cancer patients, died of cancer herself in Los Angeles last Sunday. NCCS first met Kathryn through her role as Advocacy Director for Amgen. Her vision to increase awareness of resources for people affected by cancer led her to champion the [...]
NCCS Health Care Roundup: Gov’t Shutdown Threat; NCCS Webinar; Analysis of 8 Democratic Universal Health Care Plans; More
After days of tense negotiations, the House and Senate left town Thursday with no plan to avoid a partial government shutdown. The House will return December 19, leaving only 72 hours for both parties to reach an agreement before a shutdown goes into effect at midnight on December 21. Most of the tension surrounding the potential shutdown surrounds funding for President Trump’s border wall. This week, NCCS hosted a post-election webinar [...]