/PRNewswire/ -- President Obama, in his first routine physical exam as commander in chief, received a CT colonography (CTC), commonly known as a virtual colonoscopy, to screen him for colorectal cancer. However, Obama Administration officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) previously denied coverage of the same exam for seniors enrolled in Medicare, cutting off access for many to an exam proven to increase compliance with nationally accepted colon cancer screening guidelines. Congress and the Administration should act now to ensure that seniors have the same access as the President to this less invasive, cutting-edge care. Patients who have delayed colorectal cancer screening should follow the President's example and look into CTC as a screening alternative.
"CT colonography is a safe and effective, frontline colorectal cancer screening tool that can attract many more people to be screened for one of the nation's leading cancer killers. The President and his doctors have unparalleled access to the latest medical and scientific information. The fact that he opted for CTC should put to rest any empty arguments against the viability of CT colonography. It's time for all patients who want a CT colonography to be covered for this lifesaving exam. Medicare needs to provide coverage now," said James H. Thrall, MD, chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors.
CT colonography employs cutting-edge x-ray technology to produce three-dimensional, fly-through images of the entire colorectal structure (colon and rectum). CTC is proven in clinical trials to be as accurate as standard colonoscopy in average risk patients. As indicated by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Technology Evaluation Center (TEC), advantages include that it is much less invasive, and does not require sedation. Patients can go back to normal daily activities immediately following the procedure.
"We are pleased that the President is in good health and that he and his doctors have embraced CT colonography's ability to accurately detect colorectal cancer. The fact that the leader of the free world has chosen to be screened with this exam is a testament that CTC works as a front line colorectal cancer screening tool. People who have delayed being screened due to cost and invasiveness of standard colonoscopy should follow the President's example and ask their doctor about CT colonography," said Judy Yee, MD, chair of the American College of Radiology Colon Cancer Committee.
Many health insurers, including CIGNA, UnitedHealthcare, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield now cover screening and diagnostic CT colonography for their beneficiaries. However, Medicare patients are denied coverage for the exams. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed among men and women in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death, despite having a 90 percent cure rate when detected early. This is because less than half of those 50 and older who should be screened for the disease opt to receive the screening exams currently available. Medicare's denial of coverage, in effect, creates a two-tier coverage approach to screening coverage for this deadly disease: one for those who have private insurance and lesser coverage for Medicare beneficiaries.
"The President and many in Congress have stated repeatedly that they want all Americans to have access to the same health care options that they do. Now is the time to make good on those statements by requiring the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to cover CT colonography for Medicare patients," said Dr. Thrall.
The National Cancer Institute Colorectal Cancer Progress Review Group predicts that wider use of screening could save 20,000 lives annually. CTC's minimal invasiveness and lower cost has the ability to attract far more people to be screened and ultimately save lives - particularly among minorities where screening rates have historically been low. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society released a study demonstrating that the disparity between white and non-white Medicare enrollees receiving a colonoscopy screening increased between 1995 and 2003.
"Providing Medicare patients an effective and less invasive screening tool for colorectal cancer can help overcome the disparity in colorectal care that exists in minority and underserved communities. The President has set an example that CTC provides a viable, effective and safe alternative to optical colonoscopy. Congress needs to act require Medicare coverage for CT colonography and help minority and underserved populations gain access to this potentially lifesaving care," said Dr. Yee.
The American Cancer Society has added CT colonography to its list of recommended colorectal cancer screening exams and recommends the exam be repeated every five years. Medicare coverage of CTC would be a tremendous step forward in the battle against one of the nation's leading cancer killers.
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Showing posts with label cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cancer. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Thursday, December 10, 2009
National Oncologist Group Warns: Current Health Care Reform Legislation Woefully Short in Addressing Cancer Care Crisis
/PRNewswire/ -- The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) today issued a statement warning that oncologists throughout the U.S. may face closing their practices if critical Medicare reimbursement fixes for treating cancer patients are not made as a part of health care reform.
"Current health reform legislation before Congress does not address major inadequacies in Medicare reimbursement and substantial cuts coming in January to cancer care," said Patrick Cobb, M.D., president of COA and managing partner of Hematology-Oncology Centers of the Northern Rockies in Billings, Montana. "These problems are impacting oncologists now. Many have had to let staff go, and some have already closed practices in communities across the U.S."
"Released this week, the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer highlighted the progress made in treating cancer over the past 30 years. This country's cancer care system deserves much of the credit for helping cancer patients receive high quality treatment near home, in their own communities," continued Dr. Cobb. "But this system is under threat if President Obama and Congress do not act before January. These January cuts threaten the viability of the nation's community cancer care delivery system, where 84% of Americans with cancer are treated, and jeopardize patients' access to care."
In separate letters to President Barack Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, COA president Dr. Cobb submitted a statement approved by the COA Board of Directors, including a six-part recommendation on solving the cancer care crisis. COA noted that the recent financial crisis has exposed the fragility of the health care payment system, with more Americans unable to afford cancer care and falling between the treatment cracks.
In a national call to action, the organization is encouraging oncology professionals and the entire cancer community to contact Members of Congress to request action on these recommendations, starting with the prevention of planned severe Medicare cuts to cancer care. These cuts start in January and continue to increase over the next four years.
"As a nation, we have watched the health care reform legislation evolve over the past year. One issue we have not heard much about -- and not through lack of trying -- is legislation for the reform of cancer care," continued Dr. Cobb. "Although there are certain positive aspects of reform relating to insurance coverage, the proposed legislation comes up woefully short in addressing a growing cancer care crisis."
Prior to Congress embarking on health reform legislation, a national team of oncologists spent more than a year researching and developing a plan to improve the Medicare payment system for cancer care. This initiative resulted in collaborating with members of Congress, now embodied in the National Cancer Care Demonstration Project Act of 2009 (H.R. 3675).
Dr. Cobb noted, "Because of the timing of the health care reform debate, we're concerned that progress in funding and implementing this very specific national project is too slow to stop the impact of the upcoming January cuts."
The organization has issued a six-part recommendation, which includes immediate action:
1. Enact real-world solutions to enhancing quality cancer care while
controlling costs by including the National Cancer Care Demonstration
Project Act of 2009 (H.R. 3675) in health care reform legislation.
2. Stop implementation of Medicare reimbursement cuts to cancer care,
especially the payment reduction to cancer drug administration.
3. Stop the 2010 21.2% Medicare reimbursement payment cut affecting all
physician-related services and fix the broken Medicare payment system
based on the SGR formula.
4. Stop cutting cancer care reimbursement further by using cuts to pay for
primary care bonuses.
5. Fix the problem of artificially low Medicare drug reimbursement by
including the "prompt pay" solution in health care reform legislation.
6. Eliminate the 20% Medicare patient co-payment requirement for cancer
drugs.
A full statement is listed the organization's web site (www.communityoncology.org).
"The War on Cancer, declared almost 40 years ago, has resulted in increased survival for Americans with cancer and has transformed many cancers from a death sentence to a chronic disease," continued Dr. Cobb. "However, the cost of cancer is still in excess of $220 billion annually and it claims the life of one American every minute. Congress must act now as health care reform legislation is being debated because the risk of getting this wrong is too great, both as measured in medical costs and the lives of Americans."
-----
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"Current health reform legislation before Congress does not address major inadequacies in Medicare reimbursement and substantial cuts coming in January to cancer care," said Patrick Cobb, M.D., president of COA and managing partner of Hematology-Oncology Centers of the Northern Rockies in Billings, Montana. "These problems are impacting oncologists now. Many have had to let staff go, and some have already closed practices in communities across the U.S."
"Released this week, the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer highlighted the progress made in treating cancer over the past 30 years. This country's cancer care system deserves much of the credit for helping cancer patients receive high quality treatment near home, in their own communities," continued Dr. Cobb. "But this system is under threat if President Obama and Congress do not act before January. These January cuts threaten the viability of the nation's community cancer care delivery system, where 84% of Americans with cancer are treated, and jeopardize patients' access to care."
In separate letters to President Barack Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, COA president Dr. Cobb submitted a statement approved by the COA Board of Directors, including a six-part recommendation on solving the cancer care crisis. COA noted that the recent financial crisis has exposed the fragility of the health care payment system, with more Americans unable to afford cancer care and falling between the treatment cracks.
In a national call to action, the organization is encouraging oncology professionals and the entire cancer community to contact Members of Congress to request action on these recommendations, starting with the prevention of planned severe Medicare cuts to cancer care. These cuts start in January and continue to increase over the next four years.
"As a nation, we have watched the health care reform legislation evolve over the past year. One issue we have not heard much about -- and not through lack of trying -- is legislation for the reform of cancer care," continued Dr. Cobb. "Although there are certain positive aspects of reform relating to insurance coverage, the proposed legislation comes up woefully short in addressing a growing cancer care crisis."
Prior to Congress embarking on health reform legislation, a national team of oncologists spent more than a year researching and developing a plan to improve the Medicare payment system for cancer care. This initiative resulted in collaborating with members of Congress, now embodied in the National Cancer Care Demonstration Project Act of 2009 (H.R. 3675).
Dr. Cobb noted, "Because of the timing of the health care reform debate, we're concerned that progress in funding and implementing this very specific national project is too slow to stop the impact of the upcoming January cuts."
The organization has issued a six-part recommendation, which includes immediate action:
1. Enact real-world solutions to enhancing quality cancer care while
controlling costs by including the National Cancer Care Demonstration
Project Act of 2009 (H.R. 3675) in health care reform legislation.
2. Stop implementation of Medicare reimbursement cuts to cancer care,
especially the payment reduction to cancer drug administration.
3. Stop the 2010 21.2% Medicare reimbursement payment cut affecting all
physician-related services and fix the broken Medicare payment system
based on the SGR formula.
4. Stop cutting cancer care reimbursement further by using cuts to pay for
primary care bonuses.
5. Fix the problem of artificially low Medicare drug reimbursement by
including the "prompt pay" solution in health care reform legislation.
6. Eliminate the 20% Medicare patient co-payment requirement for cancer
drugs.
A full statement is listed the organization's web site (www.communityoncology.org).
"The War on Cancer, declared almost 40 years ago, has resulted in increased survival for Americans with cancer and has transformed many cancers from a death sentence to a chronic disease," continued Dr. Cobb. "However, the cost of cancer is still in excess of $220 billion annually and it claims the life of one American every minute. Congress must act now as health care reform legislation is being debated because the risk of getting this wrong is too great, both as measured in medical costs and the lives of Americans."
-----
www.politicalpotluck.com
Political News You Can Use
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
New Federal Legislation Targets Toxic Chemicals in Baby Bath Products
/PRNewswire / -- Today, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) took action to protect children's health by introducing the Safe Baby Products Act, which directs the Federal Drug Administration to investigate and regulate hazardous contaminants in personal care products marketed to or used by children.
Gillibrand introduced the bill in response to a study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which revealed that many widely used baby shampoos and bubble baths are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. The chemicals are not listed on labels because contaminants are exempt from labeling laws.
The Safe Baby Products Act directs FDA to test a wide range of children's personal care products, publicly report the findings, and establish good manufacturing practices to reduce or eliminate hazardous contaminants from products.
"We applaud Senator Gillibrand for being a champion for children's health," said Lisa Archer, national coordinator of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. "This bill is a good step forward, because it would give parents the right to know what's in the bath products they use on their kids, and would give FDA authority to keep dangerous chemicals out of children's bath products. Next, we need to overhaul cosmetics laws so the FDA can fully assess and assure the safety of all personal care products."
Gillibrand announced the Safe Baby Products Act at a press conference in New York on Monday, along with parents, medical professionals and advocacy groups. The Senator decided to take action after reading the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' report "No More Toxic Tub" (www.SafeCosmetics.org/toxictub).
"Like many other mothers, when I read the list of these products, I immediately began to worry that I had been using some of these same products for my own children," said Sen. Gillibrand. "This common sense legislation will ensure that we have all the facts about the baby soap and lotions that we use on our children."
There are no safety standards for formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in personal care products sold in the United States.
The European Union has banned 1,4-dioxane from personal care products and has recalled products containing it. Formaldehyde is banned from personal care products in Japan and Sweden, and restricted in the EU and Canada.
Gillibrand introduced the bill in response to a study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which revealed that many widely used baby shampoos and bubble baths are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. The chemicals are not listed on labels because contaminants are exempt from labeling laws.
The Safe Baby Products Act directs FDA to test a wide range of children's personal care products, publicly report the findings, and establish good manufacturing practices to reduce or eliminate hazardous contaminants from products.
"We applaud Senator Gillibrand for being a champion for children's health," said Lisa Archer, national coordinator of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. "This bill is a good step forward, because it would give parents the right to know what's in the bath products they use on their kids, and would give FDA authority to keep dangerous chemicals out of children's bath products. Next, we need to overhaul cosmetics laws so the FDA can fully assess and assure the safety of all personal care products."
Gillibrand announced the Safe Baby Products Act at a press conference in New York on Monday, along with parents, medical professionals and advocacy groups. The Senator decided to take action after reading the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' report "No More Toxic Tub" (www.SafeCosmetics.org/toxictub).
"Like many other mothers, when I read the list of these products, I immediately began to worry that I had been using some of these same products for my own children," said Sen. Gillibrand. "This common sense legislation will ensure that we have all the facts about the baby soap and lotions that we use on our children."
There are no safety standards for formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in personal care products sold in the United States.
The European Union has banned 1,4-dioxane from personal care products and has recalled products containing it. Formaldehyde is banned from personal care products in Japan and Sweden, and restricted in the EU and Canada.
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