2024 Advocacy Accomplishments

Drafted and secured introduction of the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Act with bipartisan champions on key committees in time for Advocacy Day; Secured 13 cosponsors.
Secured ROCR support from a diverse group of more than 80 organizations, including associations, hospitals, freestanding practices, patients and others.
Developed Supervision Workgroup to update ASTRO’s position on supervision policies.
Secured adequate reimbursement for cervical cancer treatment, resulting in revised billing guidance.
Initiated project to collect practice expense information from members.
Partnered with providers and stakeholders to advance legislation to address Medicare physician fee schedule cuts.
Educated and informed members on ROCR via more than 100 direct calls, webinars with key constituencies (residents, early career), annual meeting presentations and written materials.
Analyzed, summarized and submitted comments on Medicare payment rules.

Secured CPT Editorial Panel’s approval on important code change applications.
Developed letter signed by 250 individuals that led to a multi-jurisdictional effort to create an LCD for SRT and image guidance.
Released 2024 ASTRO Prior Authorization survey demonstrating that prior auth has gotten worse and led to worse outcomes.
Updated ASTRO IMRT Model Policy.
Met with UnitedHealthcare leadership regularly and convinced them to stop additional prior authorization requirements for dosimetry, simulation, planning and treatment device codes.
Submitted LCD reconsideration request to Palmetto in support of SRS for new brain mets.
Increased 2024 Coding Resource revenue by 6% over 2023; produced 2025 Coding Resource.
Hosted successful Coding and Coverage Seminar with 102 attendees and received positive feedback.
Reviewed, summarized and submitted comments in response to the Improving Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule
Helped secure 232 cosponsors for the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, and 60 cosponsors of the Senate companion bill.

Organized ASTRO Advocacy Day with more than 80 attendees, generally considered the “best Advocacy Day ever” based on feedback and evaluation.
Contributed $144,000 in ASTRO PAC funds and helped reelect champions, with 96% of ASTRO PAC-supported candidates winning; hosted record-breaking fundraisers for key champions.
Generated more than 1,100 messages to Congress across four grassroots initiatives.
Helped organize Congressional clinic tours, including ROCR Champion Rep. Jimmy Panetta.
Launched GR Resident Fellow program and selected new fellow for 2025.

Blocked legislation that would require reporting of extravasation over a specified dose as a medical event.
Educated the radiation oncology community on how to obtain AU status, including publishing a revised “How to Obtain AU Status” on the ASTRO website.
Analyzed, summarized and submitted comments on NRC regulations.

Partnered with multiple cancer research organizations through multiple lobby days, letters and direct lobbying for funding increases for NIH and NCI in FY25 appropriations bill.

Advocacy