From ASCO, May 26 2006.

On Wednesday, Reps. Lois Capps (D-CA) and Tom Davis (R-VA) introduced HR 5465, the “Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act of 2006,” to reform the Medicare system so it more appropriately pays for all of the services needed to provide patients with comprehensive cancer care.

HR 5465 would establish a new Medicare service for the development of:

1)a treatment plan at the beginning of primary therapy and communication of the plan to the patient, and

2)a cancer care summary and follow-up care plan at the end of primary therapy and communication of the plan to the patient.

These services are essential to providing the resources needed to assure quality care for patients, both during and after their term of active treatment for cancer.

The legislation, supported by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), patient advocacy groups and many cancer centers also includes provisions to improve symptom management and palliative care for patients.