COA Looks Forward to Working Closely with HHS Secretary Azar to Strengthen and Improve the American Cancer Care System
Secretary Azar brings extensive experience and knowledge of the challenges that our nation’s health care system faces
His distinguished career in both the public and private sectors will lead to thoughtful government policies that will improve the health and well-being of all Americans battling cancer. ”
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES, January 25, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), I want to congratulate and express our strong support for Alex Michael Azar II on his confirmation as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).— Jeffrey Vacirca, MD, President, Community Oncology Alliance
Secretary Azar brings extensive experience and knowledge of the challenges that our nation’s health care system faces. We are confident that his distinguished career in both the public and private sectors will lead to thoughtful government policies that will improve the health and well-being of all Americans battling cancer.
Secretary Azar takes the helm of HHS during a period of incredible challenges. In recent years, several Medicare policies have had the unintended consequence of threatening the stability and survival of the community cancer care system. Notably is the inappropriate Medicare application of the sequester cut to the underlying cost of cancer drugs that has fueled a dramatic consolidation of our cancer care system; reforming the 340B Drug Discount program so that it benefits patients, not hospital profits; and reining in corporate ‘middle men’ Pharmacy Benefit Managers whose dangerous bureaucracies are failing patients and increasing costs for Medicare and beneficiaries. Legislative and regulatory action is urgently needed on these issues by CMS and Congress.
COA and community oncology is committed to oncology payment reform that focuses on enhancing the quality, efficiency and affordability of cancer care for patients, Medicare, and private payers. We know that Secretary Azar and HHS staff share this commitment and look for to working closely with them going forward.
There are many challenges in improving the nation’s cancer care system, but together in a cooperative spirit, we can successfully overcome them.
Jeffrey Vacirca, MD,
President, Community Oncology Alliance
CEO, NY Cancer Specialists in New York
Nicolas Ferreyros
Community Oncology Alliance
6466854262
email us here
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
