Patient Access to Community Treatment (PACT) Coalition Hosts Congressional Briefing to Highlight the Benefits of Community-Based Care
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Health care stakeholders convened on Capitol Hill today to discuss the importance of preserving patient access to community-based care at a briefing organized by the newly formed Patient Access to Community Treatment (PACT) Coalition, comprised of patient advocacy organizations, provider groups and health care distributors. During the briefing, expert panelists discussed both the financial and quality of life benefits of community-based care, as well as some of the policies that have contributed to the recent increase in closures or consolidation of many community-based practices, thereby threatening patient access.
"We must act now to address the growing crisis facing community-based care," stated Brad Tallamy, Director of PACT, citing recent data showing that since 2008 more than 1,300 community cancer care centers have closed, consolidated into hospitals, merged or reported financial problems; 63 percent of small practices report they are likely to merge, sell or close operations within the next year. Tallamy added, "Patients are adversely affected as access to community-based care decreases. They may be forced to travel hundreds of miles to receive care in a hospital and incur increased cost-sharing requirements as a result."
"Having high quality, caring and easily accessible oncology treatment available to me in a local community setting relieves travel stress, time and expense allowing my focus and energy to be directed on my treatment," stated Howie Braun, a panelist at today's briefing who has been battling Multiple Myeloma for three years. Rose Gerber, another patient panelist at the briefing and a twelve-year cancer survivor, described her multiple patient experiences, ranging from the shock and fear when diagnosed as a young mom, to the ongoing health concerns faced by all cancer survivors. Gerber stated that, "throughout this time, the love and support of my family and friends, and the continuity of care within the community cancer care clinic continues to give me hope by providing the familiar setting that all cancer survivors find comforting."
During the briefing's bipartisan and bicameral congressional staff panel, staffers highlighted potential legislative corrections, such as H.R. 800 and S. 806, which would exclude customary prompt pay discounts from Medicare Part B reimbursement formulas, and the Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2013 (H.R. 1416) to eliminate the 2 percent sequestration cut to Medicare Part B reimbursement. Both measures are supported by PACT and are important steps forward towards stabilizing provider reimbursement, a critical component to enabling practices to remain in the community so that patients can receive the high quality treatment they need.
The Patient Access to Community Treatment (PACT) Coalition brings together patient advocacy organizations, provider groups and health care distributors that are committed to ensuring that patients have access to quality, affordable, community-based care. Please visit PACT's website at www.pactcoalition.org for more information.
SOURCE Patient Access to Community Treatment Coalition
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