NCCS Opposes Most Favored Nation (MFN) Rule: New Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model Will Harm Patients
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) opposes the Most Favored Nation (MFN) Model for reimbursing Medicare Part B drugs. The MFN Model was released by the Trump administration last week as an Interim Final Rule. This model would drastically change the way Medicare pays for certain drugs, including many oncology drugs, and could limit […]
NCCS Presents 5th Annual Ellen L. Stovall Award to Julia H. Rowland, PhD and Thomas J. Smith, MD for Their Innovation and Dedication to Cancer Survivors
(Silver Spring, MD) – The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) presented the 5th annual Ellen L. Stovall Award for Innovation in Patient-Centered Cancer Care on November 18 to the 2020 winners: Julia H. Rowland, PhD and Thomas J. Smith, MD. Named for former NCCS CEO Ellen Stovall, who died in 2016 due to long-term […]
NCCS Recommends Making COVID-19 Medicare Telehealth Coverage Expansion Permanent
NCCS recently submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) regarding the Medicare physician fee schedule for calendar year 2021. The comment letter focuses on telehealth-related provisions of the proposed rule, as we are learning from our findings from our Telehealth Project that both patients and providers need more tools and […]
NCCS and Cancer Groups Make Recommendations to CMS Regarding Proposed 2021 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)
NCCS joined with other cancer patient and provider groups in a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the proposed rule related to the hospital outpatient prospective payment system. Among the issues outlined in the letter is a concern about an additional reduction in payment for drugs in the 340B […]
NCCS and Cancer Groups Urge National Academy of Medicine to Include Cancer Patients in Phase IB COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation
NCCS joined with a group of patient and provider advocacy groups in a letter to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) on vaccine allocation. In the letter, the groups articulate the substantial risk that cancer patients face during the pandemic and shared data on the negative outcomes of patients with cancer and concurrent COVID-19. The […]
NCCS to Recognize Julia H. Rowland, PhD and Tom Smith, MD with 2020 Ellen L. Stovall Award
NCCS is pleased to announce the 2020 winners of the Ellen L. Stovall Award for Innovation in Patient-Centered Cancer Care are Julia H. Rowland, PhD and Thomas J. Smith, MD. They will be recognized at the 2020 Virtual Stovall Award Reception on Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The esteemed selection committee chose from […]
Advocating for Women Who Choose to Go Flat After Mastectomy
By Kim Bowles Founder Not Putting On a Shirt When I woke up from surgery and realized my surgeon had overridden my wishes, I was angry. I thought that because I had been clear with him, that I was safe. But as I began speaking with other women, I discovered that I was not alone […]
Advocacy Alert: Tell Congress to Expand Paid Leave Eligibility to Cancer Survivors
Expand Eligibility for Paid Leave to Include Cancer Survivors: We urge Congress to expand eligibility for the paid family and medical leave to include people with chronic conditions, like cancer, and working members of their households. Because of their history of cancer and cancer treatment, cancer patients are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. Cancer survivors may […]
NCCS Mourns Former Board Member Kathy LaTour
Kathy LaTour, breast cancer survivor, author of The Breast Cancer Companion, and co-founder of CURE Magazine, died on June 19. Kathy served as an NCCS board member from 1992 to 1996. After her cancer diagnosis in 1986, she turned her formidable writing talents to informing and supporting cancer patients and survivors. When Diane Balma was […]
Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter We see you. We hear you. We stand with you. The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) is saddened and dismayed by the murder of George Floyd and many others who have suffered as a result of racial injustice. We condemn racial injustice and support our Black colleagues — survivors, advocates, caregivers, […]
NCCS Elevate Ambassador Kimberly Richardson Launches Educational Program to Pair Scientists with Cancer Survivors
Who better to help scientists research cancer than those who live with it?NCCS Elevate Ambassador Kimberly Richardson is partnering with University of Illinois College of Medicine students to launch an educational program for scientists and cancer survivors. “Survivors Advising Scientists Educational Program” is a model developed by Richardson while she participated in the National Coalition […]
Remembering Survivorship Leader Elizabeth “Betsy” Clark, PhD
We at NCCS are devastated to report the passing of Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Clark on Saturday, May 23, 2020.Betsy was a true champion for cancer survivors. Her leadership, service, and contributions to NCCS and the field of cancer survivorship were vast. She was formerly Executive Vice President of NCCS, and the COO for THE MARCH…Coming […]
Health Care Roundup: Insights on Telehealth, Decline in Medical Visits, Standards of Care, and More
We aim to make the Health Care Roundup 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 […]
2020 NCCS Elevate Ambassadors Selected to Improve Survivorship Care in Local Communities
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) is proud to announce 14 patient leaders selected to serve as Ambassadors for the 2020 Elevating Survivorship program. Elevate Ambassadors will receive support, mentorship, networking opportunities, and virtual training from NCCS to develop and execute a plan of action to improve survivorship care in their community — whether […]
NCCS Project Aims to Gain Cancer Survivors’ Insights on Telehealth
This month, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) launched a project to identify and share cancer patients’ and survivors’ perspectives on telehealth in cancer care. Regulatory, societal and practice changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increased use of telehealth, including in various aspects of cancer care. In this rapidly changing […]
Radiation Oncology Care During COVID-19: How Are Cancer Patients Getting Life-Saving Radiation Treatment?
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) has been collecting questions from covid-19 patients and survivors on the coronavirus crisis and is addressing these questions through a series of webinars and podcasts. Leading experts from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Ronald D. Ennis, MD and Louis Potters, MD joined NCCS CEO Shelley Fuld […]
Health Care Roundup: Cancer Care on the Front Lines of COVID-19; Study: Cancer Patients at Higher COVID-19 Risk; COVID-19 Cancer Disparities; More
Fourth Relief Package Passed – It’s hard enough to keep up with the day of the week, much less which relief package Congress is currently considering. We’re here to help make sense of what’s happening on Capitol Hill during these unpredictable times. Last week, Congress approved a fourth package totaling $480 billion to help small businesses and hospitals and expand testing for the coronavirus. Early this week, a study that compared cancer and non-cancer patients […]
Health Care Roundup: NCCS COVID-19 Webinars & Podcast; Paid Leave for Vulnerable Patients; Resources for Finding Coverage; “Chemo Brain” Study; More
NCCS has been working diligently to bring you the most up-to-date and critical information for cancer survivors regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, we hosted a webinar with one of the nation’s leading oncology experts, Dr. Otis Brawley. In this webinar, he outlined how this public health crisis is impacting cancer patients and survivors and what they can do to stay safe. “This is a really difficult time. My recommendation to anyone who has cancer […]
COVID-19 and Cancer Panel Discussion: Managing Stress, Anxiety, and Grief During Uncertain Times
NCCS hosted a conversation this week about managing anxiety, stress, and grief with psychologist Dr. Imani Price and a panel of cancer survivors and advocates. Dr. Price shared tips on how to cope with stress during this unique time and included strategies such as connecting with friends and family virtually, taking time to get outside each day, getting sufficient sleep, and eating well. Randall Broad, Erin Cummings, Loretta Herring, and Sharon Rivera-Sanchez, all cancer survivors […]
COVID-19 and Cancer: A Conversation with Cancer Control Expert Otis Brawley, MD
NCCS has been collecting questions from patients and survivors on the coronavirus crisis and decided to address these questions through a series of webinars and podcasts. Last week, NCCS hosted a conversation with cancer control expert and epidemiologist Otis Brawley, MD. Watch the full video conversation and read excerpted portions below. Download the full transcript […]
How Cancer Survivors Can Cope With the Anxiety of COVID-19
Dr. L. Imani Price is a licensed psychologist at Women’s InnerFitness and Wellness Center and serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at Breast Care for Washington, D.C. Dr. Price suggests this expert advice: Many survivors are experiencing stress, anxiety, and PTSD from the new expectations and restrictions resulting from […]
Health Care Roundup: Virtual Cancer Policy Roundtable; COVID-19 News; Coronavirus Resources for Survivors; More
NCCS Hosts First-Ever Virtual Cancer Policy Roundtable – Last week, NCCS hosted its spring Cancer Policy Roundtable event, which convened patient advocates, providers, health care experts, and government agencies to discuss pressing issues in cancer care policy. NCCS has been hosting roundtables for 20 years, but given the public health crisis we are currently facing, this was the first virtual roundtable event. We are proud to say that it was a success, […]
NCCS Joins 28 Patient and Consumer Groups Urging the Administration to Implement a Special Enrollment Period for Healthcare.gov
The Trump administration decided against opening a special enrollment period for Healthcare.gov, which would allow uninsured individuals to purchase plans outside of the open enrollment period. NCCS joined with 28 patient and consumer groups to urge the administration to implement a special enrollment period as the nation fights to protect its citizens from the COVID-19 virus. The Affordable Care Act does allow for people who have lost […]
Health Care Roundup: COVID-19 Edition
New Resource Available: Frequently Asked Questions and Concerns from Cancer Survivors about COVID-19 — NCCS has heard from many survivors who feel uniquely vulnerable due to their history of cancer treatments. And we have heard from people currently in treatment, who are worried about delays in care and navigating […]
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 Addresses COVID-19 & Cancer Survivorship
In these challenging times, we at NCCS continue to work for you, advocating for and supporting cancer survivors, caregivers, advocates, and providers. We have heard from many survivors who feel uniquely vulnerable due to their history of cancer treatments. And we have heard from people currently in treatment, who are worried about delays in care and navigating a stressed health care system. […]
Health Care Roundup: ACA Anniversary Met with a Challenge; Coronavirus Coverage; and More
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a third major challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The court did not say when it would hear the case, but arguments are likely to begin this fall, with a decision in the spring or summer of 2021. Read Vox’s primer to learn about the entire case and what is expected to happen next. The ACA has been the law of the land for ten years now. NCCS celebrated this milestone with other patient advocacy […]
Health Care Roundup: “Surprise” Billing and ACA Updates; NCCS on Fear of Cancer Recurrence; Study on Long-Term Young Survivors; End-of-Life Care; More
How Should Patients Be Protected From “Surprise” Medical Bills? The Latest: Democratic and Republican House staffers met with Speaker Pelosi’s office to try to protect patients from getting large “surprise” medical bills. There was no breakthrough, according to The Hill. The Issue: Patients can receive extremely high medical bills during emergency situations when they are taken to an out-of-network hospital, or from out-of-network providers, even […]
Health Care Roundup: New Surprise Billing Proposal; When a Young Adult Has Cancer; Breakthrough Immune Cell Discovery; NCCS Project Webinar; More
NCCS joined with other patient groups in an amicus brief (a friend of the court brief) this week to challenge the administration’s October 2019 proclamation that would prevent immigrants from entering the U.S. if they cannot show they will be covered by approved health insurance within 30 days of entering the U.S. The proclamation would allow ACA-exempt, short-term limited duration insurance plans which, as we have reported, do not provide […]
Webinar Video – Redefining Functional Status: A Patient-Led Quality Measurement Effort
“What would health care measurement look like if it reflected what patients and caregivers say matters most to them?” Quality measurement in cancer care is primarily focused on ensuring patients get the right tests and treatments, not whether those treatments help cancer survivors live well during and after cancer. NCCS embarked on an initiative to define quality measures by engaging survivors themselves to identify what’s important to measure. […]
NCCS Expresses Opposition to CMS Healthy Adult Opportunity Guidance Permitting Medicaid Block Grants
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) earlier today announced a guidance to state Medicaid programs that encourages states to create a block grant program for the portion of their Medicaid program expanded under the Affordable Care Act. The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) opposes the CMS action to permit Medicaid block grants because of their potential negative impact on people with cancer. NCCS issued the statement below […]
Health Care Roundup: SCOTUS Prolongs ACA Lawsuit Review; Coping with Isolation; Medicaid Block Grants; The Nursing Shortage; More
Supreme Court Will Not Consider ACA Lawsuit Until After 2020 Election – The Supreme Court announced on January 21 that it would not consider the ACA lawsuit on an expedited basis before the 2020 election. NCCS is disappointed in this decision but remains hopeful the Supreme Court will hear the case later this year. NCCS recently joined with other patient groups in an amicus brief to the Court asking them to fast-track consideration of whether […]
Health Care Roundup: ACA Lawsuit Update; Why Drug Importation Is Unlikely to Work; Annual Cancer Statistics; End-of-Life Care; A.I. in the O.R.; More
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Lawsuit Update – Before Christmas, the Fifth Circuit announced its ruling in the ACA lawsuit, Texas v. US. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 opinion, upheld the District Court ruling that the individual mandate is unconstitutional. However, the Fifth Circuit remanded the case back to the District Court for a more careful consideration of the issue of severability. In effect, the Fifth Circuit directed the District Court judge […]
NCCS Statement on ACA Lawsuit Ruling Issued by Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) notes that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its opinion in the case of Texas v. United States, a case challenging the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In a 2-1 opinion, the Fifth Circuit upheld the decision of the District Court for the Northern District of Texas that found the ACA individual mandate unconstitutional. However, the appellate court remanded the case to the District Court for additional […]
NCCS Submits Comments to CMS on Oncology Care First Model
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) submitted comments in response to an Informal Request for Information on the proposed Oncology Care First Model. This model was released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The comments focus on concerns regarding adequate resources in the model to support high quality cancer care. The letter also identifies shortcomings in the model that could influence […]
Health Care Roundup: Drug Pricing, “Surprise Billing” Bills Advance; “Rebuilding” After Diagnosis; Study on Depression in Lung Cancer Patients; More
House Members Solicit Public Input on “Cures 2.0” Bill – Representatives Fred Upton (R-MI) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) released a request for public input on a potential new bill they are calling “Cures 2.0” which would build on the 21st Century Cures Act. The duo says this legislation would focus on improving patients’ access to digital health products and new medical therapies. The bill would speed up insurance coverage by Medicare, Medicaid, […]
NCCS Joins Coalition of Organizations Urging Congress to Extend the Medical Expense Deduction Permanently
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) joined with AARP and 47 other organizations in letters to the House and Senate asking Members to co-sponsor the Medical Expense Savings Act, which is bipartisan legislation that would make permanent the 7.5 percent threshold for the medical expense deduction. This deduction provides an important tax relief for many patients which helps offset the high costs of cancer care. […]
Remembering Fitzhugh Mullan, MD
It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Fitzhugh Mullan, MD, the co-founder and first president of the National Coalition of Cancer Survivorship, on November 30, 2019. As a young physician in 1975, Fitz was diagnosed with cancer at a time a cancer diagnosis was commonly a death sentence, often kept secret from friends, family, and coworkers. Always an activist for the rights of the disadvantaged, ten years after his own cancer experience, […]
Health Care Roundup: ACA Open Enrollment and “Junk” Insurance; E-Cigarette Ban; Integrative Oncology; FDA Breast Implant Warning; More
Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Healthcare.gov marketplace is in full swing. After major technical glitches, in addition to cuts to enrollment marketing and assistance, the number of enrollees is down this year from past years. As the Washington Post reports, the administration is also redirecting some Healthcare.gov users to private insurance exchanges that sell “junk” health plans — short-term limited duration plans that do not include […]
NCCS Presents 4th Annual Ellen L. Stovall Award to Dr. Harmar Brereton and Dana Dornsife for Their Innovation and Dedication to Cancer Survivors
Washington, D.C. – The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) presented the 4th annual Ellen L. Stovall Award for Innovation in Patient-Centered Cancer Care to Dr. Harmar Brereton and Dana Dornsife on November 13. Named for former NCCS CEO Ellen Stovall, who died in 2016 due to complications from three cancer treatments, the award highlights those who continue Ellen’s work of transforming cancer care to further incorporate […]
Health Care Roundup: Drug Pricing Bill Advances; ACA Open Enrollment & Premium Data; Cancer Overdiagnosis; “Medicaid Haves and Have-Nots”; More
House Drug Pricing Bill Advances Out of Committee – The biggest health care news this week was the approval by the House Ways and Means Committee of H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act — Speaker Pelosi’s drug pricing bill. The bill advanced along party lines, with opponents citing a recent report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that said the plan would harm drug innovation and reduce the number of new drugs coming to the […]
NCCS Urges FDA to Finalize Graphic Health Warnings for Cigarette Packs and Advertisements
NCCS joined with public health and medical organizations in a comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the proposed rule to establish health warnings for cigarette packages and advertisements. The comment letter outlines the overwhelming evidence that shows color graphic health warnings on cigarette packages and ads substantially increases and promotes greater public understanding of the dangers of smoking, […]
Health Care Roundup: Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness; More on “Junk Insurance;” Reviewing Effects of California’s Surprise Billing Law; More
Ads Offering Bare-Bones Coverage are Everywhere – This Axios article highlights the growing trend of plans being advertised across the internet as “Trumpcare” plans. The problem? “Trumpcare doesn’t exist, and many of these advertised plans offer bare-bones coverage.” “It’s impossible to expect consumers to discern between the good guys and the con artists,” said Sabrina Corlette, a health insurance researcher at Georgetown University. “And […]
Health Care Roundup: Cokie Roberts; Survivorship in the News; Junk Insurance Doesn’t Cover the Bills; Seeking Help and Encouragement; More
Tennessee became the first state in the country to release a plan proposing to block grant its Medicaid program. Currently, the federal government pays each state “a certain percentage of the cost of care for anyone eligible for health coverage.” If changed to a block grant program, the federal government would “instead pay a state a lump sum each year while freeing it from many of Medicaid’s rules, including who must be allowed into […]
Remembering Cokie Roberts, a Tireless Advocate for Cancer Survivors
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship mourns the loss of Cokie Roberts, who died yesterday from complications of breast cancer. Mrs. Roberts was a generous supporter of NCCS both before and after her own seventeen-year cancer experience. In 1998, she co-hosted NCCS’s THE MARCH…Coming Together to Conquer Cancer, in honor of her ABC News colleague Sam Donaldson, a then three-year survivor of melanoma, and her sister, […]
NCCS Survivorship Survey: Cancer Survivors Share Their Top Concerns
As part of its Elevating Survivorship initiative, NCCS fielded an online survey to understand cancer survivorship experiences and needs across a range of cancer patients. NCCS and our partner patient advocacy organizations promoted the survey to our constituents, and 1,380 cancer survivors responded. Some of the key findings include […]
Health Care Roundup: What President Trump’s Health Care Plan Might Include; Recurrence Anxiety; Are There Too Many NCI Cancer Centers?; More
In August, we noted that President Trump and other members of his administration mentioned that they intend to unveil a substantial health care plan later this month. As we await the details of that plan, we wanted to share this Kaiser Health News article that examines what such a plan may, or may not, include. Congress returns to Washington next week, after the August recess. We will monitor and report on Congressional action on policy […]
How the Patient Perspective Improved My Cancer Research and Changed My Career Path
The first time I heard the words “you have cancer,” I was sitting in the doctor’s office with my best friend Katie. We were both 28 years old. Katie had a lump removed from her breast the Monday before Thanksgiving and I was home in New Jersey a few days before the holiday to hang out with her post surgery. We were supposed to go to DSW that Wednesday morning when she got a call that her doctor wanted to see her that day. I collapsed on the floor […]
Health Care Roundup: Medicare Payments for CAR-T; Cancer Screenings in Older Adults; Cancer and At-Home DNA Tests; End of Life Care; More
CAR-T therapies, a cutting-edge type of immunotherapy, are seen by many as the next generation for cancer treatments. Of course, they are expensive and complicated to administer. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced long-awaited policies regarding payment for these treatments. CMS stated, “Medicare will pay for CAR-T therapies so long as they’re administered in health care facilities that follow the […]
NCCS Announces 2019 Stovall Award Honorees, Dr. Harmar Brereton and Dana Dornsife
(NCCS) is pleased to announce that the 2019 winners of the Ellen L. Stovall Award for Innovation in Patient-Centered Cancer Care are Harmar Brereton, MD, founder of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, and Dana Dornsife, founder and board chair of the Lazarex Cancer Foundation. Now in its fourth year, the cancer community’s embrace of the award named after longtime NCCS CEO Ellen Stovall continues to be a testament to her lasting […]
Health Care Roundup: Cancer Care Planning Bill Introduced; Drug Pricing Measures Advance; Rural Hospitals Struggling in States that Did Not Expand Medicaid; More
On July 23, the Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (CCPCA), H.R. 3835, was reintroduced in the House of Representatives. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), co-chairs of the Congressional Cancer Survivors Caucus. The CCPCA is NCCS’ top legislative priority as it would increase access to comprehensive cancer care planning for millions of Medicare beneficiaries. If implemented in Medicare […]
NCCS Applauds Introduction by Reps. DeSaulnier and Carter of Bipartisan “Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act”
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), co-chairs of the Congressional Cancer Survivors Caucus, introduced H.R. 3835, the Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (CCPCA). A legislative priority of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), the bill would create a Medicare service to reimburse providers for time and resources used to create cancer care plans for Medicare beneficiaries. […]
Health Care Roundup: ACA Lawsuit Update; Chronic Pain Study; “Have Cancer, Must Travel;” “Survivorship Issues Reshape a Researcher’s Career;” More
Last week, a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans heard arguments in the Texas v. United States case that has the potential to invalidate the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Two judges asked pointed questions that seemed sympathetic to the case against the ACA. While this is disheartening for cancer patients who rely so heavily on the ACA, observers from Kaiser Health News and others cautioned that a long road remains […]
Patient Groups Urge Court to Prioritize Patients and Uphold Health Care Law
Protections for Pre-Existing Conditions and Coverage Standards at Risk — Patient groups are urging the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to prioritize patient protections, including those for people with pre-existing conditions, when it hears oral arguments today in the case Texas v. United States. The case is being appealed after a lower court ruling that the entire health care law should be struck down because Congress repealed the individual […]
Health Care Roundup: Medicaid Work Requirement Studies; Care Coordination/Planning; Financial & Emotional Distress; Cancer in Firefighters; More
New ACA Replacement Plan? – This week, President Trump hinted at his intention to introduce a new health care plan. Health care remains a very popular political issue among most voters. With widespread reports saying that many Republicans in Congress would rather not make health care or Affordable Care Act (ACA) replacement a top issue in the upcoming elections, it will be interesting to see whether the president follows through in the months ahead. […]
Health Care Roundup: ACA Erased Key Racial Cancer Disparity; ‘Survivor’ Debate; Isolation in Survivorship; Remembering Two Cancer Pioneers; More
Today marks one year since the Trump administration announced it would not defend the ACA and that the entire law should be struck down, including protections for pre-existing conditions. In just one month, oral arguments are scheduled in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. New research released last week at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting shows that the ACA’s Medicaid expansion reduced racial disparities […]
NCCS Wellness and Survivorship Blog Series Wrap-Up
Each week throughout May, NCCS published a blog post written by cancer survivors looking at the significance of physical and mental health, exercise, and nutrition during and after cancer treatment. The authors all varied in stage of life, type of cancer, and years since initial diagnosis. What they had in common however, was the passion and thoughtfulness to share their stories with the hope of helping others. We hear often from survivors and advocates […]
Health Care Roundup: Executive Order on Price Transparency; Coping with Cancer; New Data on Cancer Disparities; US Health Spending; More
Executive Order on Price Transparency — This week, the Washington Post reported that the Trump administration is preparing an executive order that would require insurers and hospitals to disclose negotiated discounted rates for services. The executive order is intended to foster greater price transparency across a broad swath of the health-care industry as consumer concerns about medical costs emerge as a major issue in the lead-up […]
Running: Fuel for My Body and Soul After Cancer
Being diagnosed with cancer stinks. It is a traumatic experience that will ripple through your life for years to come. For me it was no different. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer at 31 and underwent treatment for a year, which included high doses of steroids. After almost two years of remission my cancer returned and had begun to spread to my uterus. My oncologist advised me that a hysterectomy was needed and within a few weeks […]
Moving Through and Beyond Stage IV Colorectal Cancer
By Stacy Hurt, MHA, MBA. “But I’m an athlete and a non-smoker. I do everything right!” Those were my first words to the gastroenterologist who told me that the 11cm tumor in my rectum was “most likely cancer.” You would’ve thought I’d learned the whole “life isn’t fair” lesson when my son, now 13 years old, was diagnosed with a rare genetic chromosomal disorder that rendered him without the ability to walk, talk, or care for himself in any way. […]
