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Health Care Roundup: Medicare ‘Step Therapy’ Concerns; Alternative Cancer Treatment Risks; Immunotherapy Scientists Win Nobel Prize; More

October 5, 2018/in Cancer News, Cancer Policy Blog Access to Care, Affordable Care Act, Health Care Coverage Health Care Roundup, NCCS News
In order to bring you the latest cancer-related health care policy and news, we at NCCS combined our ACA Updates and What Caught Our Eye (WCOE) content into a weekly email and blog post. We aim to make this a concise, one-stop summary of what you need to know as we continue working together to make cancer care better for everyone.

Your feedback is always welcome to make our content more useful to you. Please send comments to feedback@canceradvocacy.org.

Subscribe to our email list and receive these updates in your email box each week »


HEALTH CARE HIGHLIGHT

NCCS Submits Concerns to HHS Regarding New “Step Therapy” Plan

NCCS joined with other cancer organizations of the Cancer Leadership Council (CLC) in a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the new plan announced on August 7 that gives Medicare Advantage plans the option of applying step therapy for physician-administered and other Part B drugs.

The groups identified several concerns regarding the application of step therapy—which requires physicians to prescribe preferred drugs first, only progressing to more costly therapies if necessary. The letter states, “The application of step therapy for Part B drugs would fundamentally undermine the progress that we have made in personalizing cancer therapy,” and warns that utilization of step therapy may adversely affect the ability of cancer patients to make informed treatment choices and may have a negative impact on the quality of care they receive.

Read our blog post »


CHART OF THE WEEK

Medicaid State Coverage Statistics

Chart: Kaiser Family Foundation

In September, it was reported that nearly 4,600 people in Arkansas lost their Medicaid health care coverage due to new work requirements. As similar efforts continue in states across the country, it is important to remember how many people depend on Medicaid and CHIP for their health care, including coverage for cancer treatments.


IMPORTANT READS

The Risk of Alternative Cancer Treatments

Via New York Times

The pros and cons of “established cancer treatments,” including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, can be debated in terms of side effects, efficacy, and cost. However, this article helps illustrate the substantial risks patients take when foregoing such treatments for alternative treatments. A recent Yale School of Medicine study found, for example, “patients with colon or rectal cancer who chose alternative treatments, the death rate was four and a half times higher.”

Read More »

Buyer Beware: New Cheaper Insurance Policies May Have Big Coverage Gaps

Via National Public Radio (NPR)

Earlier this year, the Trump Administration released a rule that would allow insurers to sell short-term limited duration plans. Health policy experts are calling these plans, “junk plans” because they do not have to comply with the ACA’s patient protections including protections for pre-existing conditions or essential health benefits.

NCCS submitted comments to CMS asking the Administration to retract this rule, as it would be harmful to cancer patients and individuals who may have a cancer diagnosis in the future.

Read More »

2018 Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded to Two Cancer Immunotherapy Researchers

Via New York Times

Immunotherapy treatment continues to garner more and more attention within the entire cancer community. It is only fitting that this year’s Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to two researchers, James P. Allison of the United States and Tasuku Honjo of Japan, who laid the scientific foundation for the development of immunotherapy drugs.

Read More »


Related Posts

https://canceradvocacy.org/blog/health-care-roundup-sept-28-2018/
https://canceradvocacy.org/blog/health-care-roundup-sept-21-2018/

Tags: aca update, affordable care act, cancer care, CMS, health care roundup, HHS, immunotherapy, Medicaid, Medicare, What Caught Our Eye
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Latest News

NCCS Letter to HHS

NCCS Urges CMS to Preserve Access to DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

June 1, 2023
Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted a public meeting, in which they sought input on its decision to…
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Webinar – Survivorship at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center: Creating a Practical Workflow

May 12, 2023
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) hosted a Survivorship Champions webinar about survivorship care implementation,…
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Sandra Finestone, PsyD: Be Bold and Don’t Hesitate – A 30-year Survivor’s Advice on Advocacy

May 8, 2023
Advocate Spotlight: Sandra Finestone, PsyD A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and life-changing, but for Sandra Finestone, it…
Read more
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  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • The 1986 Club
    • Our Team
      • Policy Advisors
    • Employment
    • Partnerships
    • Financial Information
  • Policy
    • Quality Cancer Care
    • Access to Care
    • Health Equity
    • Redefining Functional Status (RFS)
    • State of Survivorship Survey
      • 2022 Survey
      • 2021 Survey
      • 2020 Survey
    • Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (CCPCA)
  • Get Involved
    • What is Advocacy?
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT)
    • Advocate Engagement Opportunities
    • Survivorship Champions
    • Subscribe to NCCS Updates
    • Elevating Survivorship
    • Survivor Stories
    • Cancerversary
    • State-Based Cancer Advocacy
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Resources for Cancer Survivors
    • Survivorship Checklist
    • Cancer Survival Toolbox
    • Cancer Rehabilitation
    • Integrative Oncology
    • Publications
      • Talking With Your Doctor
      • Self Advocacy
      • Employment Rights
      • Remaining Hopeful
    • Telehealth
    • Taking Charge of Your Care
    • Care Planning for Cancer Survivors
    • Tools For Care Providers
    • Order Our Resources
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    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) Virtual Symposium 2022
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  • Contact Us

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Harmar Brereton, MD

Founder
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

 

“Perhaps one of the most impactful collaborations in Dr. Brereton’s extraordinary career remains his early work and long friendship with Ellen Stovall. Through him, and in turn through the thousands of lives he has touched, Ellen’s work continues, and her mission lives on.”

—Karen M. Saunders
President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute