The Year in Cancer Policy
Thank you for making the first year of our blog a success.
To celebrate, we’re looking back at the meaningful cancer and health policy news and stories from 2014.
In 2014, we launched the Cancer Policy Matters Blog, a resource for people that are interested in cancer and health policy issues. Featuring guest blogs, videos, news, and analysis, as well as updates on our work on behalf of all people touched by cancer, this blog has served as a timeline of sorts for the many policy issues that impact cancer survivors. Thank you for connecting with us and engaging in these critical issues. We look forward to seeing you in 2015, and hope that you will share your comments with us on our blog, or contact us to let us know what you think.
2014 NCCS Events
Putting the Cancer Patient First
The “Putting the Cancer Patient First: Payment Reform in an Age of Personalized Cancer Care” symposium took place in February at the American Enterprise Institute Conference Center in Washington, DC. The event was co-hosted by AEI and NCCS. A summary and overview was posted via Oncology Times.
Focus on the Care
While we hope for the cure, we must focus on the care. In November, we honored Susan Gubar and Lillie Shockney at the Focus on the Care event in Washington, DC. NCCS wrote a follow-up post to this event in celebration of the honorees and Cancerversaries.
Cancer Policy Advocate Training
This year we launched a new advocacy program, the Cancer Policy Advocate Training. The first webinar covered Current Issues in Cancer Care, followed by an in-person meeting in November, and a post-training webinar in December.
Other Events:
This October, Ellen Stovall Presented the Patient Perspective on Overtreatment at the ASCO Quality Care Symposium, and Shelley Fuld Nasso Presented the Survivor Perspective on Incentive Structures and Innovation at the Turning the Tide Against Cancer Conference.
In July, we welcomed a new member to our policy team. Kelsey Nepote wrote a post about her first assignment with Alliance for Childhood Cancer Action Days.
In 2014, NCCS convened advocates, providers, payers, researchers, government officials, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology company representatives for its 14th year of semi-annual Cancer Policy Roundtable “think tank” meetings.
Cancer Policy Matters Blog
Staff Posts
Incremental Improvements Are Not Enough
In this post, NCCS CEO Shelley Fuld Nasso puts a human face on why Incremental Improvements are often not enough, as well as the importance of addressing quality of life issues.
Defining Cancer Survivorship
In 1986, there was a tremendous need for language that truly told the story of life after a cancer diagnosis.
When Talking About End of Life Issues, Words and Honesty Matter
There are a number of factors and barriers that explain the disconnect between patient wishes and the care patients receive.
Nina and Shelley with Tim Wert from Eli Lilly and Company while painting a panel of the Hope Mural at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting.
Reactions to ASCO’s Annual Meeting
This year’s meeting marked the 50th anniversary with the highest attendance to date.
Why We Care About Physician Payment
The way we as a country compensate physicians directly affects the care patients receive. Our current system is not sustainable for physicians, patients, or taxpayers.
Journey Forward: How Can We Make Survivorship Care Planning a Reality?
A post that puts policy into practice by highlighting Survivorship Care Planning tools and resources.
Addressing the Gaps in Treatment Planning and Coordination with the PACT Act (H.R. 2477)
“The Law of Intended Consequences” Article Added to Our Influential Publication Resources
Guest Posts
Some of our favorite Cancer Policy Matters guest posts of 2014 offered thoughtful and thought-provoking opinions and insight on some of the most pressing issues in cancer policy. Read all of ourguest posts on our blog.
Are Right to Try Laws a Good Idea?: Alison Bateman-House, PhD, MPH, MA
Fighting Cancer Means Fighting for Cancer Data: Stephanie Teleki, PhD
Lung Cancer Awareness Month Brings a Long-Awaited Nod to Lung Cancer Screening: Peter Bach, MD, MAPP
Study Reports Nurse Navigators Make a Difference: Carole McCue, RN, MS, CNE
Forgotten Survivors—Supporting the Needs of Patients with Advanced Cancers: Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS
Meeting Consumer Expectations and Health Needs in the New Health Insurance Exchanges: Tanisha Carino, PhD
Arizona Republic Article Shows Self-referral Abuse Persists: Bruce G. Haffty, MD
NCCS Policy Comments
NCCS provides comments to Congress and regulatory agencies on policy issues important to cancer survivors related to legislation, drug review and approval, Medicare payment for cancer care, and other policies.
Recommending Cancer Survivorship as a Topic for FDA Patient-Focused Drug Development Meetings
Strategies for Increasing Patient Participation in FDA Review Activities
Comments to Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation on Proposed Oncology Care Model
Joining Cancer Leadership Council CMS Comments on 2015 Physician Fee Schedule
Balancing Patient Protections and Innovation: FDA Action to Regulate Laboratory-Developed Tests
Response to 21st Century Cures Initiative Call to Action
Test of Medicare Care Choices Model for Cancer Patients
Joining Cancer Leadership Council in Commending Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Repeal
Joining Alliance for Childhood Cancer in Submitting Comments to FDA
Advocating for Clear Coverage for Clinical Trial Services for Medicare Advantage Enrollees
Joining Cancer Leadership Council in Comments to CMS Regarding “Protected Classes”
Joining Cancer Leadership Council in Comments on 2015 Letter to Issuers
What Caught Our Eye This Year…
Each Friday we blog about the topics that have captured our attention through the week. Many critical issues have surfaced in this year that impact patients, caregivers, and health care professionals.
Improving Quality for Patients by Delivering and Paying for Care Differently
An Updated Survivorship Care Planning Template and Identifying Barriers to Implementation
Complexities of Transparency and Shared Decision-Making Issues
Planning for Hospice, Difficult Conversations, and Second Opinions
Dr. Susan Love Discusses the Pros and Cons of BRCA Screening
Over-Diagnosis, Over-Treatment, and a Broader View of Health
“Why I Hope to Die at 75″ and a New IOM Report on Quality and End of Life Preferences
Paying Doctors to Talk About End of Life Care
Peter Bach’s “The Day I Started Lying to Ruth”
Patient Empowerment in Discussing End-of-Life Care
Matthew Herper Asks the Question “What Is This Worth to You?”
Challenges of Care Coordination in a Fragmented Health Care System
Dying with Cancer from Patient and Provider Perspectives
Elevating the Discussion on Living Well Until the End of Life
Moving Towards Quality Cancer Care and Remembering an Advocate
