ASCO’s Clinical Practice Committee members and state affiliate leaders met with members of Congress and their staffs yesterday to help protect patient access to community-based oncology care and cancer medications that have been in short supply.

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The Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health will conduct a large national study examining the impact of new government tobacco regulations. ASCO supports necessary research into tobacco addiction, toxicities, and prevention strategies.

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The newly formed Coalition to Transform Advanced Care is addressing the needs of people with serious, progressive illness, so that they are informed about the care they receive and are in a position to plan for and make the best choices for them and their loved ones.

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In a vote, 15-2, last week, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission approved its $220 billion plan to replace the sustainable growth rate formula that includes cuts to reimbursement for specialists and pay freezes for primary care physicians.

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A bill created by the Ohio Hematology Oncology Society (OHOS), an ASCO state affiliate, updating Ohio's law on off-label indications to mirror federal standards was recently signed into law by Ohio Governor John Kasich.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced the beginning of a "parallel review" pilot program for concurrent review of medical devices for FDA approval and Medicare coverage.

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U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings is investigating the “gray market” sales of drugs in short supply. Cummings, the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has sent document requests to five pharmaceutical vendors, asking for documentation of their business and drug-safety practices.

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The organization C-Change, comprised of over 150 of the nation's health care leaders from government, business and nonprofits, is working to define its unique role in assuring value in cancer care.  Since 1998, C-Change has been both a forum and a catalyst for addressing the major challenges facing the cancer community. A top priority for C-Change this year is to increase the use of palliative and hospice care.

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