• Facebook
  • Rss
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Store
  • Donate
NCCS - National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • Our Leadership
      • Policy Advisors
    • Employment
    • Partnerships
    • Financial Information
  • Policy
    • Quality Cancer Care
    • Access to Care
    • Health Equity
    • Redefining Functional Status (RFS)
    • 2020 State of Cancer Survivorship Survey
    • Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (CCPCA)
  • Get Involved
    • What is Advocacy?
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT)
    • Elevating Survivorship
    • Survivor Stories
    • Cancerversary
    • State Based Cancer Advocacy
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Resources for Cancer Survivors
    • Survivorship Checklist
    • Cancer Survival Toolbox
    • Telehealth
    • Survivorship Champions
    • Publications
      • Talking With Your Doctor
      • Self Advocacy
      • Employment Rights
      • Remaining Hopeful
    • Cancer Convos Podcast
    • Taking Charge of Your Care
    • Care Planning for Cancer Survivors
    • Tools For Care Providers
    • Order Our Resources
  • News
  • Events
    • Ellen L. Stovall Award
      • Nominations
      • Honorees
      • Sponsors
      • Committees
    • From Shadows to Life: A Biography of the Cancer Survivorship Movement
    • Cancer Policy Roundtable
      • Spring 2021 Cancer Policy Roundtable
      • Fall 2020 Cancer Policy Roundtable
      • Spring 2020 Cancer Policy Roundtable
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) Symposium 2020
    • Webinars
  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • 0Shopping Cart

Year-End MATCH (DEADLINE Dec 31): Donate & Make a Difference | Donate

NCCS Starburst 250px

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 /by actualize
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
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/NCCS-Starburst-250px.png 250 250 actualize https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png actualize2018-10-05 15:48:372020-07-06 10:05:24Health Care Roundup: Medicare ‘Step Therapy’ Concerns; Alternative Cancer Treatment Risks; Immunotherapy Scientists Win Nobel Prize; More
You might also like
NCCS Starburst 250px Health Care Roundup: Virginia to Expand Medicaid, Colorectal Screening Guidelines, How the ‘Bewildering’ Health Insurance Industry Works, and More
ProtectOurCare 1024px ACA Update | March 31, 2017: The Fight to Protect the ACA Is Far From Over.
NCCS Starburst 250px Cancer Policy News Roundup: Proposed Cuts to CHIP, Association Health Plans in Farm Bill, Prescribing Exercise for Cancer Patients, and More
Discusses the Pros and Cons of BRCA Screening WCOE: Dr. Susan Love Discusses the Pros and Cons of BRCA Screening
FacebookProfile3 WCOE: Genetic Testing for Cancer Survivors, Survivorship as a ‘Chronic Condition,’ Post-Treatment Neuropathy, Moonshot Funding
20years Guest Post by Amy Abernethy of Flatiron Health: Long-Term Medical Data Collection Improves Care Quality, Outcomes
Health Care Repeal Process NCCS CPAT Member Jen Campisano’s Powerful Op-Ed Highlights Senate’s Secretive Health Care Repeal Process
journeyforwardthumb Journey Forward: How Can We Make Survivorship Care Planning a Reality?

Latest News

NCCS Founders at 1990 Assembly

The Birth of the Cancer Survivorship Movement and How It Transformed Cancer Care for Millions

March 25, 2021
Guest Post by Judith L. Pearson Best-Selling Author of From Shadows to Life: A Biography…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/10-Founders-1990-NCCS-Assembly.jpg 600 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png NCCS Staff2021-03-25 10:36:202021-03-25 13:46:05The Birth of the Cancer Survivorship Movement and How It Transformed Cancer Care for Millions
HHS Humphrey bldg 1200

Biden Rescinds Trump Admin Proposal to Limit Medicare Part D Coverage of Drugs in “Six Protected Classes”

March 19, 2021
This week, the Biden administration rescinded a Trump administration-proposed plan…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/HHS-Humphrey-bldg-1200.jpg 600 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png NCCS Staff2021-03-19 13:36:192021-03-23 14:46:18Biden Rescinds Trump Admin Proposal to Limit Medicare Part D Coverage of Drugs in “Six Protected Classes”
CDC Headquarters

NCCS Recommends That States Allocate COVID-19 Vaccines to Cancer Care Providers

March 1, 2021
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) and the Cancer Leadership Council…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/CDC_Headquarters_PHIL_pubdomain_1200.jpg 600 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png NCCS Staff2021-03-01 15:49:432021-03-04 17:45:07NCCS Recommends That States Allocate COVID-19 Vaccines to Cancer Care Providers

Take Action

Stovall Award

The Ellen L. Stovall Award for Innovation in Patient-Centered Cancer Care is a unique opportunity for patients and survivors to recognize pioneers who are transforming the cancer care system.

Join CPAT

The NCCS Cancer Policy & Advocacy Team (CPAT) is a program for survivors and caregivers to learn about pressing policy issues that affect quality cancer care in order to be engaged as advocates in public policy around the needs of cancer survivors.

Share Your Story

NCCS represents the millions of Americans who share a common experience – the survivorship experience – living with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

STAY CONNECTED

Together we can improve cancer care for survivors! Sign up to be the first to know about cancer policy issues and ways to take action

  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • Our Leadership
      • Policy Advisors
    • Employment
    • Partnerships
    • Financial Information
  • Policy
    • Quality Cancer Care
    • Access to Care
    • Health Equity
    • Redefining Functional Status (RFS)
    • 2020 State of Cancer Survivorship Survey
    • Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (CCPCA)
  • Get Involved
    • What is Advocacy?
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT)
    • Elevating Survivorship
    • Survivor Stories
    • Cancerversary
    • State Based Cancer Advocacy
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Resources for Cancer Survivors
    • Survivorship Checklist
    • Cancer Survival Toolbox
    • Telehealth
    • Survivorship Champions
    • Publications
      • Talking With Your Doctor
      • Self Advocacy
      • Employment Rights
      • Remaining Hopeful
    • Cancer Convos Podcast
    • Taking Charge of Your Care
    • Care Planning for Cancer Survivors
    • Tools For Care Providers
    • Order Our Resources
  • News
  • Events
    • Ellen L. Stovall Award
      • Nominations
      • Honorees
      • Sponsors
      • Committees
    • From Shadows to Life: A Biography of the Cancer Survivorship Movement
    • Cancer Policy Roundtable
      • Spring 2021 Cancer Policy Roundtable
      • Fall 2020 Cancer Policy Roundtable
      • Spring 2020 Cancer Policy Roundtable
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) Symposium 2020
    • Webinars
  • Contact Us

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
8455 Colesville Road  |  Suite 930  |  Silver Spring, MD 20910
877-NCCS-YES  |  info@canceradvocacy.org
Privacy Policy  |  Terms and Conditions

Copyright © 1995-2021 by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, NCCS, Cancer Survival Toolbox, and related Logos are registered in the United States as trademarks of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.

NCCS Joins with Cancer Leadership Council to Outline Concerns Regarding New... NCCS Policy Comments HHS bldg NCCS News Cancer Policy Matters NCCS Joins 11 Organizations in Filing Amicus Curiae Brief Supporting Lawsuit...
Scroll to top

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