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 supporting HR 1826 which waive deductibles, copayments, and coinsurances for prostate cancer screenings for those with a family history of prostate cancer, including those with a genetic alteration known to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, or who are African-American.
Letter thanking the Department of Justice for requesting a stay in the ruling of Braidwood v. Becerra which threatens coverage of USPSTF recommended services without cost-sharing requirements.
Comments to CMS regarding implementation of the drug price negotiation provision of the IRA addressing input regarding clinical benefit, unintended consequences of drug price negotiation, and additional efforts to address affordability.
Letter urging members of Congress to protect Medicaid from cuts in program funding in budget negotiations and other legislation.
Statement urging members of Congress to vote no on legislation that would add so-called “work requirements” to the Medicaid program.
Comments, to CMS regarding implementation of the drug price negotiation provision of the IRA, applauding the positive changes while highlighting a number of concerns that have been raised about the new policies and suggests how the federal government might prevent unintended harms and better incorporate patient and caregiver feedback going forward.
Comments to CMS regarding implementation of the drug price negotiation provision of the IRA urging meaningful engagement of patients and people with disabilities, urging CMS to explicitly recognize, the existing statute barring use of QALYs and similar measures, and urging CMS to establish patient-centered standards and outcomes.
Letter to CMS, asking them to reverse the elimination of a procedure code (S2068) for deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction surgery.
Letter to United Healthcare's CEO asking United Healthcare to stop the program to require prior authorization for almost all upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, colonoscopy and capsule endoscopy procedures scheduled to begin June 1, 2023, for Commercial plans in almost every market..
Letter to CMS recommending the needs for patient-groups who represent beneficiary populations be included throughout the IRA implementation process.