Press Kit: Radiation Oncology Payment Reform

The Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value Based Payment Program Act of 2025 (S.1031, H.R.2120), led by Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), John Joyce, MD (R-Pa.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), would protect patient access to high quality cancer treatments nationwide while also generating savings for Medicare.

ROCR would:

• Shift Medicare’s outdated, per-treatment payment system to a patient-centered, episodic model
• Prioritize the quality and value of care provided over the number of treatment visits
• Ensure the million-plus Americans who receive radiation therapy each year maintain access to the best possible care in their communities

ASTRO physicians and policy experts are available on request for media interviews about ROCR and ASTRO’s work toward payment solutions for radiation oncology. For the latest updates on ROCR from our Advocacy team, visit What's Happening in Washington.

ROCR Press Materials

• Press Release: ROCR Act 2025: Congress takes step toward patient-centered, value-based cancer care with bipartisan plan (3/14/25)

  • Sen. Tillis’ press release: Tillis, Peters Introduce Bill to Safeguard Access to High Quality Cancer Care

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick's press release: Fitzpatrick, Panetta, Joyce, Tonko Lead Bipartisan Effort to Protect Patient Access to High Quality Cancer Treatments

  • Section-by-Section Summary of the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value-Based Payment Program Act of 2025

• Endorsement letters to Congress from 60+ organizations and radiation oncology stakeholders and the Cancer Leadership Council (7/24/24)

• Press Release: Bipartisan bill to modernize radiation oncology reimbursement introduced in Congress (5/15/24)

  • Section-by-Section Summary of the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value-Based Program Act of 2024
  • Backgrounder: The Road to Radiation Oncology Payment Reform

• Press Release: Radiation oncology physician groups unite to ensure patient access to cancer care (1/9/24)

• Official Statement: Medicare physician payment final rule cements more cuts to radiation oncology, underscores need for legislative fix (11/2/23)

• Press Release: ASTRO President to speak at President’s Cancer Panel meeting about radiation oncology’s critical contributions to national goals (9/7/23)

• Official Statement: New proposed rule continues cuts to Medicare reimbursement; Legislative remedies needed to protect patients’ access to care (7/13/23)

• Blog Post: ASTRO Releases New Radiation Oncology Payment Reform Legislative Proposal (6/28/23)

Visit ASTRO's Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) program hub for information geared toward ASTRO members, including FAQs, a recorded webinar with ASTRO's Health Policy Council leaders and other resources.

Radiation Oncology APM (RO Model)

In September 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule establishing a Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model (RO Model); in August 2022, the agency issued a final rule that indefinitely delayed the implementation of the model. ASTRO expressed serious concerns about the success of the RO Model given its incongruity with recommendations provided by radiation oncology stakeholders throughout the rulemaking process.

Find press materials related to ASTRO’s advocacy around the RO Model.

For More Information

Direct questions and interview requests to ASTRO’s media relations team by email.

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