Policy Comments

The priority legislative and regulatory issues that the Cancer Policy Institute focuses on are driven by policy pillars that are centered around the values, needs, and preferences of individuals impacted by cancer. We work in conjunction with patients, patient advocacy organizations, medical associations, and other stakeholders to advance policies aimed at improving access to, affordability of, and quality of care across the cancer continuum.

    Letter urging Congress to urge to enact the PASTEUR Act in an end of year package to address the growing crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

    Access to Innovative Treatment

    Letter to the Attorney General and DEA detailing short-term actions that can be taken to ensure patients continue to have access to telehealth treatment.

    Telehealth

    Comments to HHS with recommendations for extent, scope and nature of value assessment methods that discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability; the use of clinical algorithms in health care decision-making; and nondiscrimination requirements and enforcement.

    Anti-discrimination

    Letter urging CMS to rescind 42 CFR §433.400 and no longer allow states to reduce the amount, duration, and scope of benefits or modify beneficiary cost-sharing while the state receives the enhanced FMAP.

    Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Health Insurance Coverage

    Letter urging CMS to ensure patients receive the full benefit of copay assistance by repealing 42 CFR §156.130(h) and clarifying that insurers must count any assistance paid by or on behalf of a patient toward their annual deductible and out-of-pocket limit in the 2024 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters.

    Copay Accumulators, Out of Pocket Costs

    Letter highlighting several practices that are clearly discriminatory based on the 1557 proposed rule that unfairly target the most financially vulnerable patients with serious and chronic health conditions. These practices include copay accumulator adjuster programs, copay maximizer programs, and alternative funding models.

    Anti-discrimination

    Support of the inclusion of S. 1544 / H.R. 3089, the Accelerating Kid's Access to Care Act which would help ensure children on Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) who require care from providers located outside of their home states will not face unnecessary delays in accessing time sensitive and essential care.

    Access to Affordable, Comprehensive Care, Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Health Insurance Coverage

    "Letter urging CMS to rescind 42 C.F.R. § 433.400 and return to its 
    original interpretation of FFCRA Section 6008."

    Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Health Insurance Coverage

    Letter to HHS offering additional comments regarding specific aspects of the 1557 proposed rule.

    Anti-discrimination

    Comments in response to the ACA Section 1557 proposed rule with a focus on scope of proposed nondiscrimination regulations, proposed discrimination through benefit design, proposed discrimination through excessive utilization management, discrimination of copay accumulator adjustment programs. potential discrimination of value assessments, and need for enforcement.

    Anti-discrimination