ROCR Act advocates urge passage, ASTRO-AstraZeneca SCLC Therapy Challenge, Refresher starts soon
April 2, 2025
| Nearly 100 strong, ROCR Act advocates urge passage | |
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Organizations representing all corners of the radiation oncology community united on a March 26 letter to congressional leadership urging passage of the ROCR Act this year. The collection of 95 organizations including radiation oncology professional associations, patient advocacy groups, freestanding centers, private practice groups, hospitals and hospital systems, equipment manufacturers and others called on Congress to support fair payment policy for radiation oncology. In addition, the ROCR Act’s House Champions highlighted the legislation’s ability to ensure patients nationwide access to cutting-edge cancer treatments. Help us reach our goal of sending 1,000 messages to Congress in support of the ROCR Act by using our easy grassroots alert system today! For more info and to see what leading lawmakers are saying about the ROCR Act, go to What’s Happening in Washington. |
| President’s Corner – ROCR, Advocacy Day and more |
| In this fourth installment of the President’s Corner, ASTRO President Sameer Keole, MD, FASTRO, shares the latest on ROCR-related activities, including its benefits, stakeholder activity and how this May’s Advocacy Day will offer additional ways to learn and contribute. Watch the video. |
| Senate confirms NIH, FDA directors |
| Last week, the Senate voted along party lines to confirm Jayanta Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, to be the new Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Marty Makary, MD, MPH, was also confirmed along party lines as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ASTRO looks forward to engaging with agency leadership on shared priorities like cancer research funding and technological innovation in cancer care. Check out more at What’s Happening in Washington. |
| ASTRO shares prior auth impact at Patient Advocacy Forum |
| ASTRO’s Health Policy Council Vice Chair Amar Rewari, MD, MBA, FASTRO, and Vice President of Advocacy Dave Adler were featured on a panel discussing prior authorization at the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship’s Spring 2025 Cancer Policy Roundtable on March 27 in Washington, DC. Dr. Rewari highlighted recent data from ASTRO showing prior authorization delays leading to serious harm for people with cancer. Mr. Adler said that bipartisan prior auth reform legislation is expected to be reintroduced soon and discussed prospects for passage in the new Congress. For more information, go to What’s Happening in Washington. |
| Annual Refresher Course: Don’t miss this — starting in just 7 days! |
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| Paul L. Nguyen, MD, MBA, FASTRO, Program Chair, shares why you should join him in participating in the 2025 Virtual Annual Refresher Course. Visit the Program page to view the course schedule to learn more about our expert presenters and essential topics; discover specifics on the three included eContouring sessions; learn more about the Refresher onDemand (also included with registration) and how to earn continuing education credits. We also have some special, discounted ASTRO Academy Add-ons for purchase by Refresher participants. Don’t wait, register now to get a comprehensive review of the best practices and emerging trends for the major disease sites! |
| Apply by April 30 for the ASTRO-AstraZeneca SCLC Therapy Challenge 2025 |
| AstraZeneca and ASTRO are excited to offer a Challenge Grant for researchers studying limited stage Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). The grant aims to foster innovative research in combination therapies. A $750,000 award pool is available for two to four projects. Applications are due April 30. See the Program Announcement for further details and to watch a recorded webinar about this opportunity. Email questions if you need additional assistance. |
| Attention residents and advocates! ACS CAN and ASTRO webinar: Collaborating for Patients | |
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Learn more about how ASTRO and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) work together to make cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels of government during a live webinar at 12:00 p.m. Eastern time on April 8. Neha Vapiwala, MD, FASTRO, ASTRO President-elect, Mustafa Basree, DO, MS, ASTRO’s Government Relations Fellow and senior member of the ARRO Executive Committee, and Jeff Martin of ACS CAN, will share more on each organization’s efforts and how you can get involved. This webinar is designed specifically for residents, but all are welcome! Time will be reserved for Q&A. You can also submit questions in advance when you register. Register today! |
| Apply today! ASTRO-BCRF Annual Meeting Trainee Travel Awards |
| We are excited to offer the ASTRO-BCRF Annual Meeting Trainee Travel Awards that provide conference funding to support trainee participation in ASTRO’s Annual Meeting. Students and residents are encouraged to apply for this award designed to help trainees gain career building skills and engage in education, networking and mentoring events at the Annual Meeting. Learn more about the ASTRO-BCRF Trainee Travel Awards including eligibility and application criteria. Applications are being accepted through Thursday, April 24. |
