Blog Archive

On November 2-3, 2011, the cancer community held a successful “virtual” Capitol Hill Day. Cancer advocates from across the US joined together to fight any further cuts to Medicare reimbursement for cancer drugs. The message was clear. Fight cancer. Not cancer care. This advertisement is running in all of the important congressional daily papers and

Carol Murtaugh, RN, OCN, Cancer Center Practice Administrator, Hematology & Oncology Consultants, Omaha, Nebraska

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been doing this for that amount of time but it went by remarkably fast. If I have learned anything it’s that the one constant is change. In my days as an oncology nurse I loved the changes we saw as new treatments became available and more options to manage

Come to Capitol Hill on 9/22 to Send a Message to Congress – STOP CANCER CUTS!

Why should you go to Capitol Hill to deliver the message to Stop Cancer Care Cuts? Very simply, if members of Congress do not hear from the cancer community about the cuts to cancer care, they can’t help stop these cuts. The cancer community has been very effective the past several years in moderating and

COA participates in Drug Shortage Education Day

On July 13, 2011, COA, in cooperation with other cancer and advocacy organizations, joined US Congressional members and staffers in an Education Day on Capitol Hill. The topic was the troubling increase in the shortage of life-saving medications. Drug shortages are costing hospitals over $2 Million annually and providers of care are paying an

Doctor and Fisherman

Rick Frame, MD Utah Cancer Specialists – CPAN Medical Chairman You may think that as a practicing cancer doctor in Salt Lake City for over 25 years, I would get plenty of exposure to cancer patients. But in early June 2011, I was overwhelmed and blown away by the honesty, compassion, emotion and sharing

Rick Frame, MD/CPAN Medical Chairman

As a practicing oncologist, one of my greatest concerns is that I fear the dismantling of the present oncology system. I have had the privilege of being involved with some tremendous advances in the field of oncology throughout my career. I like to think of this as the best of times and the worst of

Carol Murtaugh, RN, OCN, Cancer Center Practice Administrator, Hematology & Oncology Consultants, Omaha, Nebraska

I am honored to be the first contributor to the CPAN blog. I’m hoping to peak your interest, to hit an emotion, or just to share some of my observations after twenty-fiver years in oncology practice. It’s hard to believe that I’ve been doing this for that amount of time but it went by remarkably

Finally—Good News for Oncology From Congress!

Community Oncology Alliance. 2011 Mar 14, Patrick Cobb, MD; Ted Okon Dr. Patrick Cobb is immediate past President of the Community Oncology Alliance and Chairman of the COA Policy Committee and Ted Okon is Executive Director, Community Oncology Alliance. View profiles of Dr. Cobb and Mr. Okon. We have done a lot of reporting on the problems

Oncology Medical Home Could Improve Care, Cut Costs

By: SUSAN LONDON, Internal Medicine News Digital Network LAS VEGAS – Oncologists need to take a leadership role in crafting the practice changes that will be driven by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, two key stakeholders said at the annual Community Oncology Conference. “The silo mentality of just staying within the four walls

We are excited to offer this website as an important resource for our cancer care patient advocates. Our goal is to provide you with inspiration and education. In our About US section, you will learn about the history of the Community Oncology Alliance, get answers to frequently asked questions, and read profiles on CPAN and

The War on Health Care Reform

Community Oncology Alliance. 2010 Dec 15, Patrick Cobb, MD; Ted Okon Dr. Patrick Cobb is immediate past President of the Community Oncology Alliance and Chairman of the COA Policy Committee and Ted Okon is Executive Director, Community Oncology Alliance. View profiles of Dr. Cobb and Mr. Okon. Our country is currently stretched thin fighting two wars overseas.

Congress Passes “Doc Fix,” Extending Current Medicare Rates Through 2011

December 20, 2010 – The 111th Congress passed and President Obama signed the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010, which has a little something for nearly everyone in the health field, most prominently stabilizing Medicare physician payments at the current rate through 2011, but delaying a long-term solution to the sustainable growth rate formula.

OncologyStat – Will Community Practice Oncology Become Extinct?

2010 Dec 7, Lee Schwartzberg, MD, Editor-in-Chief A seismic change in community oncology began with the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. That legislative earthquake led to a tsunami, as reimbursement for infused drugs via Medicare Part B at average selling price (ASP) + 6% without a commensurate rise in administration fees leaves community infusion centers

How Health Care Reform is Changing the Oncology Landscape (and How the Elections May Color the View)

Community Oncology Alliance. 2010 Nov 4, Patrick Cobb, MD; Ted Okon Dr. Patrick Cobb is immediate past President of the Community Oncology Alliance and Chairman of the COA Policy Committee and Ted Okon is Executive Director, Community Oncology Alliance. View profiles of Dr. Cobb and Mr. Okon. Push aside the historic results of the mid-term elections, where

Standing Up for Cancer Care in Washington, DC

Posted By: Rose G Publication: The Day Published 06/25/2010 Standing Up for Cancer Care in Washington DC As a breast cancer survivor, I was fortunate to receive outstanding care in Southeastern Connecticut. As a newly diagnosed patient I was not aware of, or concerned about the larger issues impacting cancer care. Seven years later with extensive

Healthcare Reform: Don’t Sacrifice Cancer Care

Salt Lake Tribune Opinion, 12-27-09 (Dr. Richard Frame is board certified in Medical Oncology and practices at the Salt Lake Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah) While the war on health care reform continues, there is another battle raging now: the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will cut payments further starting in

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