WCOE: ACA Open Enrollment, Drug Prices and Innovation, Breast Cancer Awareness and More
| What Caught Our Eye (WCOE) Each week, we take a closer look at the cancer policy articles, studies, and stories that caught our attention. |
This week, several articles caught our eye:
Amy Berman shared her own experience “Choosing Wisely” when she opted for a single dose of radiation therapy to alleviate pain from bone metastases, instead of a course of 10 treatments.
The Kaiser Family Foundation reported that 89% of uninsured individuals polled are not aware that the next open enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act begins November 1.
We often hear the argument that drug prices fuel research and development budgets and are necessary for innovation, but in this Forbes piece, Dr. Peter Bach asked, “Could High Drug Prices Be Bad For Innovation?”
Anderson Cooper tackled end-of-life issues in the 60 Minutes segment, “Ending Life.” Dr. Ira Byock argued that with better end-of-life care, “death with dignity” would not be necessary. The Diane Rehm Show also discussed death with dignity, hosting Dr. Byock and Barbara Coombs Lee of Compassion & Choices.
Lola Butcher reported in Oncology Times about the Community Oncology Alliance’s Practice Impact Report, which showed practice consolidation and practices being acquired by hospitals.
Finally, in “Having Breast Cancer Means Being ‘Aware’ Every Day, Not Just in October,” breast cancer survivor Kathryn Petrides wrote about the many ways she is aware – physically, emotionally, financially, and logistically – of her cancer experience on a daily basis.
