From the Desk of Anne Levine
The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has put unprecedented pressure on our nation’s health care system leaving cancer patients and survivors particularly vulnerable. During these challenging times we hope that members of the Dana-Farber community know that the Legislative Action Network (LAN) is here to advocate with you and lift up the lived experiences and special needs of cancer patients and survivors. One way we are doing that is through federal advocacy with 50 national organizations - representing millions of cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and cancer centers. These groups sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Washington, D.C., calling for federal actions to support the nation’s cancer patients and survivors during the pandemic. Dana-Farber is a member of several of the groups that signed these letters and strongly supports the calls to action.
The letter calls on the HHS Secretary to take these steps to protect cancer patients and survivors:
- Easing cancer care transitions by ensuring network access and waiving prior authorizations requirements, as the pandemic has caused some cancer centers and hospitals to temporarily suspend cancer care services or be unable to treat their typical number of patients, causing patients to seek alternative treatment locations;
- Promoting shared decision-making between patients and providers to ensure health and safety is not compromised for cancer patients transitioned to home infusions;
- Monitor and enhance access to care via telehealth including the ability of Medicare beneficiaries to access audio-only services.
To read the letter click here.
This same group of national organizations sent a letter to the leadership in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate in Washington, D.C., calling upon them to act on several issues including:
- Passing federal legislation to ensure oral chemotherapy parity, which means patients who are prescribed oral chemotherapy would not pay higher copays than if they had received intravenous (IV) chemotherapy;
- Ensuring access to 90-day medication refills in a single fill, while also reducing cost sharing requirement which could be a barrier to some patients accessing a three-month supply of medications;
- Providing federally funded cancer clinical trial researchers flexibility with respect to grant requirements in order to restart stalled trials and finish their research.
To read this letter, click here.
The Dana-Farber Legislative Action Network (LAN) continues to advocate for cancer patients and survivors with local, state, and federal decision makers during this difficult time. We will continue to use this newsletter to update you with opportunities to get involved and make your voices heard.
Notes from Kate Audette
If you’re like me, you’re doing a speculative countdown, wondering how long until we can all move forward with our new “normal”. For advocates around the country, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are also counting down the time remaining to complete the 2020 Census and counting how many households have now completed the Census.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a Census response rate of 55.1%, which is slightly higher than the national Census response rate. However, some areas of the state are struggling to get households to participate in Census. At the time of this newsletter, many cities and towns have a less than 50% response rate including Worcester (42.6 %), Springfield (47.7%), and Boston (44.6 %). You can find out the response rate in your city or town by clicking here.
Massachusetts households who have not completed the Census online at www.my2020Census.gov by now, have received a paper questionnaire in the mail. Participation in the Census is constitutionally mandated for everyone living in the U.S. Households that do not respond, either online, by mail, or over the phone, will have an enumerator or official Census worker with the federal government coming to their home to collect the information. By responding to the Census now and encouraging others to do the same, we reduce the need for federal Census workers to go door-to-door.
Accurate Census data is critically important to Dana-Farber’s mission. It determines how much federal funding is allocated to community health centers and programs our patients and families rely on, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These programs are needed now, more than ever. If you have questions about completing the 2020 Census, please contact advocacy@dfci.harvard.edu.
Impact of Coronavirus on Cancer Patients
Cancer treatments delayed. Surgeries cancelled. Clinics closed.
COVID-19 is affecting everyone’s lives, and for cancer patients, the challenges to get the lifesaving care they need have never been greater.
On April 23, the American Cancer Society (ACS) Cancer Action Network (CAN) shared the results of a new survey identifying how the pandemic is impacting cancer patients, what to expect in the future, and opportunities for advocacy.
To watch a recording of this Facebook Live event, click here.
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