Stable Medicare reimbursement (view infographic)

From 2009 to 2014, radiation oncology Medicare reimbursement rates sustained significant cuts, particularly to community-based clinics. ASTRO strongly supports recent bipartisan legislation that froze reimbursement rates at 2016 levels through the end of 2019. This stability has temporarily created a more secure environment to allow the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to work with stakeholders on the development of a successful RO-APM.


"With the support of key Congressional leaders, we currently have much-needed stability in radiation oncology payments. Congress must prevent any additional payment cuts to radiation therapy centers to avoid jeopardizing access to critical, life-saving services and compromising our progress toward value-based care," said Dr. Kavanagh.

Cancer research funding (view infographic)

Federal investment in cancer research has played a role in every major innovation in the fight against cancer, including significant advances in radiation oncology, and has led to a decline in cancer deaths in the United States. Stable federal funding for cancer research is essential to continue this progress and sustain the efforts to cure cancer. Investing in cancer research also equates to investing in economic prosperity; according to the Milken Institute, every dollar in grants from the NIH generates $2.21 in U.S. economic growth.

The President’s budget proposes cutting $2.3 billion from the $37 billion NIH budget for fiscal year 2019, which could lead to a $300 million cut for NCI. ASTRO members are asking Congress to reject any proposed cuts and instead support an increase of $2.2 billion for NIH, with a $410 million increase for NCI.

Coverage for cancer patients (view infographic)

Studies have shown that a lack of adequate health insurance coverage leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment, resulting in higher mortality rates. Inadequate coverage also leads to higher costs that are felt throughout the economy. ASTRO strongly supports bipartisan solutions that protect cancer patients from losing or not being approved for coverage following a cancer diagnosis, as well as efforts to rein in restrictive practices from prior authorization groups that abrogate physician and patient judgment.

Access to radioactive source material (view infographic)

Finally, ASTRO members also are advocating to preserve access to radioactive source-based technology in health care. Limiting health providers’ access to radioactive isotopes would subsequently limit cancer patients’ access to lifesaving radiation therapy treatments. ASTRO continues to support policies that enhance the safe and effective use of these materials.

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