More than 130 members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, have signed letters sent to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) opposing the agency's proposed reimbursement reductions for radiation therapy (RT) that would be implemented in 2013.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) projects that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) reimbursement would be lowered by 40% and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) reimbursement would drop 28%.
Twenty-eight senators signed a letter dated September 18 calling for CMS to halt cuts in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and expressing their concern about access to radiation oncology care. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) prepared the letter and were responsible for getting their colleagues' support in the U.S. Senate. On October 3, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) sent a letter to CMS.
Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) oversaw efforts to obtain 104 signatures in the U.S. House of Representatives for their own letter, dated September 24.
ASTRO also reported that the Cancer Leadership Council sent a letter to CMS recommending a reversal of the proposed cuts to radiation oncology treatment. Organizations that signed this letter included the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance, the Livestrong Foundation, and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, among others.
