Call to oncologists and administrators
Community Oncology Alliance calls for action; cuts in cancer care reimbursement would have devastating impact on community practices
As an oncologist and practice administrator, we understand that your time is tighter than ever. However, we ask you to reach out to your Representatives in Congress to sign the Stop Cancer Care Cuts letter that Congressman Israel and colleagues want to send to HHS Secretary and CMS Administrator Berwick. COA has sent out emails about this letter and information on it is on the COA website.
To date, 30 Representatives have agreed to sign the letter. Click here to view the list. Included are 7 out of the 13 Representatives in our state, North Carolina. In addition to practices reaching out to their Representatives, here is what those of us across the state are doing to get every
Representative in North Carolina to sign the letter:
1. We are sending an email addressed to all of the health legislative staff in every North Carolina congressional office.
2. In the email we are asking the entire North Carolina congressional delegation to please sign the letter.
3. We are copying every oncologist and practice administrator we have email addresses for on the email. This shows statewide unity on the issue.
4. We are following up the email with calls.
This does not take a lot of time but it is very effective. Contact information for all House health legislative staff is on the COA website along with other useful information.
As you know, our practices are under a lot of pressure, facing oncology-specific cuts to Medicare reimbursement as well as general Medicare cuts of close to 30% in less than 3-4 months. These reductions impact our private payers basing their payment on Medicare.
If we don’t make our voices heard we can’t expect to stop these cuts or find any relief. Simply put, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Last year, as a community we were very successful in stopping severe payment cuts to Medicare. We have to keep fighting for our patients and practices.
Please ask you Representatives today to sign the Stop Cancer Care Cuts letter. Feel free to contact either of us if you have any questions or suggestions.
David Eagle, MD
Lake Norman Hematology Oncology
deagle@lakenormanoncology.com
Bo Gamble
Southeastern Medical Oncology Center
bgamble@cancersmoc.com
