October 27, 2009
The Honorable Lois Capps
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Charles W. Boustany, Jr.
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Representatives Capps and Boustany:
We are writing to express our strong support for the Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act (H.R. 1844), important legislation that would encourage cancer care planning and the coordination of cancer care. As organizations representing cancer patients, physicians, and researchers, we are committed to improvement of cancer care, and we applaud your efforts to support patient access to cancer care plans.
Cancer patients begin a difficult journey when they learn their diagnosis, a journey that is easier if they have a care plan that details all elements of their treatment and symptom management. Those who are provided care plans at the beginning and end of their treatment report that these plans empower them by providing them critical information about their cancer and treatment, assisting them in making difficult treatment decisions, and guiding them through a complicated health care system. The advantages of care planning and coordination are clear for the individual patient, and there will be benefits for the entire system if care is better coordinated and unnecessary or ineffective care is avoided.
The Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act accomplishes the goals of cancer care planning and coordination by establishing a Medicare benefit for care planning and authorizing programs to pilot care planning and coordination models, with a special emphasis on underserved populations. We commend you for advancing legislation to
improve cancer care and pledge to work with you to see care plans become an essential element of cancer care delivery.
Sincerely,
Cancer Leadership Council
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Society for Radiation Oncology
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
Breast Cancer Network of Strength
Cancer Care
Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy
Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups
Lance Armstrong Foundation
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Lymphoma Research Foundation
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
National Lung Cancer Partnership
National Patient Advocate Foundation
North American Brain Tumor Coalition
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Prevent Cancer Foundation
Sarcoma Foundation of America
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance
Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network
The Wellness Community