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.

“We urge Congress to usher in a new era of stable payments, higher quality care, lower costs, and reduced disparities by passing the ROCR Act this year,” the letter said. In addition, the ROCR Act House Champions highlighted the ROCR Act’s ability to ensure patients nationwide access to cutting-edge cancer treatments.

In a March 28 press release, bipartisan Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Jimmy Panetta (Calif.), John Joyce, MD (Pa.), and Paul Tonko (NY) said, “The current fee-for-service system discourages oncologists from following modern, evidence-based best practices, which increasingly recommend shorter, more effective radiation therapy regimens. The ROCR Act corrects this misalignment by implementing a fair, bundled payment model that prioritizes quality over quantity, ensuring patients receive the best care possible without unnecessary financial strain.”

Here’s what the ROCR Act champions are saying about the bill:

“The ROCR Act is about putting patients first and ensuring every American battling cancer has access to the highest quality care. We cannot allow outdated policies to dictate patient outcomes,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the House Cancer Caucus. “The ROCR Act modernizes Medicare to ensure radiation therapy remains accessible, innovative and patient-centered, especially for those in our most vulnerable communities. By aligning our health care system with the latest advancements in medicine, this bipartisan bill puts patients first and strengthens the future of cancer treatment nationwide.”

“A cancer diagnosis is devastating for patients and their families, and no one should be told that some treatments are unavailable,” said Rep. John Joyce, MD. “Innovation is the cornerstone of American medicine, and I am proud to join the bipartisan group co-leading the Radiation Oncology Case Rate Act, which would ensure seniors have access to the innovative therapies critical for their cancer treatments.”

“Every year, more than a million Americans rely on radiation therapy to fight cancer, yet outdated Medicare payment policies are putting their care at risk,” said Rep. Panetta. “The Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Act is a crucial step toward ensuring that all patients, especially those in rural and underserved communities, have access to the high-quality care they deserve. By shifting to a patient-centered, evidence-based reimbursement model, this bipartisan legislation will improve outcomes, reduce disparities and ensure Medicare sustainability.”

“I have long believed in the tremendous value of radiation therapy for people with cancer across our nation, and I’m proud today to introduce the ROCR Value-Based Care Act to help ensure those patients have access to state-of-the-art care near their homes. People with cancer deserve sound policy solutions that put patients first and foster innovative care solutions. By bundling Medicare payments, ROCR will bring financial stability, improved patient access and better health outcomes for patients here in New York and beyond. After more than a decade of cuts, this legislation will allow cancer clinics across the nation to deliver the highest standard of essential care while ensuring a fair and stable payment structure,” said Rep. Tonko.

“The ROCR Act modernizes Medicare’s payment system to ensure cancer patients receive the best care possible,” said Senator Tillis. “Current reimbursement policies reward quantity over quality, making it harder for physicians to provide the tailored, high-quality care cancer patients deserve. This bipartisan bill fixes this by shifting to a fair, bundled payment model that removes incentives for redundant treatments, supports innovation, and ensures continued access to world-class care.”

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