ASCO in Action

ASCO in Action provides the latest news and analysis related to critical policy issues affecting the cancer community, updates on the Association for Clinical Oncology’s ongoing advocacy efforts, and opportunities for members and others in the cancer care community to take action.

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March 14, 2023

The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) submitted a response to the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Request for Information (RFI) on the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). The legislation includes numerous programs, like the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), that aid the U.S. in preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.

March 14, 2023

The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) submitted comments in response to a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) proposal is to streamline prior authorization by requiring Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid plans, and Qualified Health Plans (QHP) on Federally Facilitated Exchanges (FFEs) to establish an electronic prior authorization process that would be integrated into a provider’s workflow.

February 28, 2023

On February 24, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced proposed permanent rules for the prescribing of controlled medications via telemedicine. This summary includes relevant provisions for the oncology community. 

February 14, 2023

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is working with eight oncology health systems to develop, test, and measure strategies to improve immunization rates as part of an initiative with the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) to improve vaccination rates among high-risk adults.

February 14, 2023

Both chambers of the United States Congress are working on a top health care priority for the session—protecting patients from high out-of-pocket drug costs and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices that could reduce access and adherence to treatments. The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) will monitor the status of these bills and any future bills that address PBM practices and patient out-of-pocket costs, and it will work with Congress to ensure the oncology community is heard throughout the process.

February 14, 2023

The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) submitted comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Contract Year 2024 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs proposed rule. ASCO’s comments focus heavily on the proposed changes to prior authorization in the MA program in addition to enhancing health equity and other updates to the Part D drug benefit program.

February 8, 2023

“ASCO applauds President Biden’s focus on ‘ending cancer as we know it’ during the State of the Union address. We continue to urge the president to keep cancer care and research as top national priorities and are pleased with his plans to advance efforts to strengthen the Cancer Moonshot, improve cancer clinical trials, and foster breakthroughs through the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).” 

February 7, 2023

In anticipation of President Biden’s State of the Union Address, the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is urging the president to keep cancer care and research as top national priorities.

February 2, 2023

Dedicated to making a world of difference in cancer care, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and its affiliated organization, the American Association of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), laud the goals, progress, and continued potential of the Cancer Moonshot initiative. Having the full support of the President and the resources of the federal government is essential to our shared goal of accelerating the pace of progress against a disease that will be diagnosed in more than 1.9 million people in the U.S. this year.

January 31, 2023

The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) submitted comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 2024 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters proposed rule. ASCO’s comments support proposals aimed at reducing or eliminating gaps in health care coverage, and the Association continues to advocate for beneficiary protections by opposing the use of copay accumulator programs.  

January 31, 2023

On January 30, 2023, President Biden announced the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) will end on May 11, 2023. This announcement comes after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra extended the PHE earlier in January.

January 27, 2023

On January 27, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved elacestrant (Orserdu, Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.) for postmenopausal women or adult men with ER-positive, HER2-negative, ESR1-mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following at least one line of endocrine therapy.

January 27, 2023

On January 27, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to pirtobrutinib (Jaypirca, Eli Lilly and Company) for relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) after at least two lines of systemic therapy, including a BTK inhibitor.

January 26, 2023

the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), along with more than 100 other provider organizations, sent a letter to Members of Congress urging them to preserve access to high-quality care for beneficiaries by reforming the Medicare payment system. The letter urges Congress to hold hearings and work with stakeholders, such as ASCO, this year to identify long-term payment solutions.

January 26, 2023

On January 26, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pembrolizumab (Keytruda, Merck) for adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 

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