Policy prescriptions to fix our ailing delivery system

Abstract

We are proud to represent the principal contributors to the world’s most effective and successful cancer care delivery system: oncologists and allied medical professionals who care for Americans who are battling cancer in community clinics throughout the United States. The success of these women and men on the frontlines is clear: after nearly 100 years of increasing cancer death rates in the United States, cancer mortality has fallen 20% from its 1991 peak. Cancer patients from around the world seek care here because Americans enjoy the best cancer survival rates in the world. Yet we still have not realized our potential to eradicate cancer. The American Cancer Society has estimated that 1.6 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and that more than 580,000 will die of the disease during that time. As has been the case for decades, only cardiovascular disease will kill more Americans. To win this important fight, we need a stable and sustainable cancer care delivery system. That’s where Medicare and community-based cancer clinics are so important. Community cancer clinics provide patients with convenient, comprehensive, state-of-theart cancer treatment facilities close to home. And more than 60% of cancer patients rely on Medicare to pay their medical bills. As the single largest payer of cancer care, Medicare has inordinate influence on the health care delivery system and often guides how private insurers pay for cancer care. As a result, Medicare policies have an impact on cancer care for all Americans, not just those who are covered by Medicare.