National Policy Resources—Local Advocacy Results

As cancer care professionals who experience the challenges of providing quality cancer care first-hand, TACOS members are well positioned to educate decision-makers on how coverage and reimbursement issues affect community oncology. State and federal legislation can have a significant impact on the financial viability of local cancer programs, which is why it's so important that our members make their voices heard.

In an effort to provide resources needed to effectively advocate on the issues that are important to them, our redesigned advocacy webpage features activity from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), national healthcare coverage through the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), local news articles and webinars, and more.

We want to hear from you! If there is a specific piece of legislation you want to know more about, an important resource we're missing, or if you want to get more involved, please contact us!

State Advocacy

Biomarker Testing in Arizona

In 2022, ACS CAN led a successful legislative campaign in Arizona to expand access to biomarker testing. In this recently released video, Governor Ducey, Representative Regina Cobb, Dr. Rachna Shroff, and Holly Hill reflect on the impact this law will have on patients across the state.

Posted 09/22/2022

Arizona Celebrates Huge Victory with the Signing of SB 1270!

Last week marks a major victory for Arizonans with the signing of Senate Bill 1270, which provides common-sense guardrails to ensure transparent, efficient, and fair processes for patients and their providers. Read full one pager.

Posted 07/12/2021

Arizonans for Step Therapy Reform: New Op-Ed Shines Light on Step Therapy's Harm

As conversations with bill sponsors and the Governor's office continue about the timing to bring SB 1270 to the floor of the full House, read this recent opinion piece, which shines light on the impact of step therapy on Arizona families.

Posted 04/29/2021

Arizonans for Step Therapy Reform: An Update on SB 1270

Conversations are continuing with the Governor's office about whether or not SB 1270 must be tied to the state budget. In a recent op-ed, Jasleen Chhatwal, president of the Arizona Psychiatric Society, weighs in on how step therapy interferes in doctor-patient relationships. Read it here.

Posted 04/16/2021

Arizonans for Step Therapy Reform: An Update on SB 1270

The Rules Committee has cleared Senate Bill 1270 by Senator Nancy Barto to head to the House floor. Please continue to reach out to House members and engage on social media. For a list of House members and their contact information, click here.

Posted 04/02/2021

Arizonans for Step Therapy Reform: An Update on SB 1270

10-year-old Tucson advocate captures media attention after sharing her story about step therapy's impact on a child with juvenile arthritis. As we wait for the House to vote on Senate Bill 1270: Insurance; Prescription Drugs; Step Therapy, please be sure to follow @OSSatACCC and @AZStepReform on Twitter and thank @NancyBarto for sponsoring this bill, which would ensure patient access to quality and timely treatment.

Posted 03/30/2021

Guest Column: Arizona legislators should support bill to help improve patient care

In light of Senate Bill 1270: Insurance; Prescription Drugs; Step Therapy having been sent from the Senate to the House of Representatives, TACOS Board Member Raju Vaddepally, MD, Yuma Regional Medical Center Cancer Center, published an opinion piece on the importance of this bill in ensuring patient access to quality and timely treatment. Read it here.

Posted 03/08/2021

FROM THE ACCCBUZZ BLOG

An Update on Healthcare Legislation at the State Level
By Christian G. Downs, MHA, JD
March 22, 2023
If you are looking for legislative action, look no further than your state's legislatures. Most—if not all—states have had issues relating to oncology care and healthcare in general come up during their 2023 sessions.
ACCC Announces its 2023 Advocacy Agenda
March 07, 2023
For 2023, ACCC members have identified four core areas of focus (e.g., reimbursement, utilization management, provider-patient choice), among a larger set of issues and concerns, that the association will be supporting this year.
ACCC Recognizes National Caregivers Day: Analyzing a Mental Health Crisis
February 17, 2023
Today is National Caregivers Day, and ACCCBuzz analyzes the current mental health crisis that is affecting the caregivers of loved ones everywhere.

Advocacy In the News

CMS Strengthens Federal Support to Californians Affected by Wildfires

On November 14, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the agency has taken steps to support California residents displaced and recovering from the wildfires destroying portions of the state.On November 13, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declared a public health emergency (PHE) in areas of California retroactive to November 8. The PHE allows CMS to waive or modify certain Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requirements if necessary to provide health services.

The agency will take the following steps to support the state of California and those residents impacted by wildfires:

Waivers for Skilled Nursing Facilities and Assistance for Hospitals and other Healthcare Facilities: CMS will issue a blanket Skilled Nursing Facility waiver, described on the website below; and the Regional Office will provide numerous technical assistance responses to the state, California Hospital Association and providers on specific types of CMS and other HHS program flexibilities that are available with and without waivers. These program flexibilities and waivers work to provide continued access to care for beneficiaries. For more information on the waivers CMS will grant, visit https://www.cms.gov/Emergency.
Special Enrollment Opportunities and Medicare Flexibilities: CMS will be providing beneficiaries affected by the California wildfires an Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that gives them an additional opportunity to add, drop, or change their Medicare health and prescription drug plan in the event they are eligible for an SEP and unable to make an election during the fall open enrollment period or another election period for which they were eligible. For more information on special enrollment periods, visit: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Eligibility-and-Enrollment/MedicareMangCareEligEnrol/index.html. When a public health emergency is in effect, Medicare Advantage Organizations in affected areas are required to waive prior authorization and other gatekeeper requirements and to allow care to be provided by non-contracted providers and facilities. In addition, Part D plan sponsors are expected to lift certain limits for drug benefits.
Dialysis Care: Dialysis patients who are unable to receive dialysis services at their usual facility and who need assistance to locate a facility where they can be dialyzed, should call the NW 17 (Northern California) Patient Hotline (800.232,3773) or NW 18 (Southern California) Patient Hotline (800.637.4767) for assistance. The following large dialysis organization hotline numbers are also available for patients: DaVita Emergency Dialysis Services (800.400-8331); Fresenius Kidney Care Emergency Hotline (800.626.1297); Dialysis Clinic Inc. (DCI) Emergency Command Center (866.424.1990); and U.S. Renal Care Emergency Hotline (866.671.8772).

People with federal benefits and providers and suppliers of healthcare equipment and services that have been impacted by the California wildfires are encouraged to seek help by visiting CMS' emergency webpage: http://cms.gov/emergency.

Posted 11/14/2018

National Policy Resources—Local Advocacy Results

State Advocacy

FROM THE ACCCBUZZ BLOG

Advocacy In the News

CMS Strengthens Federal Support to Californians Affected by Wildfires

Helpful Links