3 Key Messages for Elected Officials
During its first of two visits to Capitol Hill this year, HOPA's advocacy team hosted Virtual Hill Day on May 7, 2024. HOPA members, patient advisory panelists, and staff participated in Zoom meetings with the offices of 80 elected officials from a total of 31 states.
HOPA's message was three fold:
Solutions are needed as oncology drug shortages continue
While cancer drug shortages are not a new problem, the recent increase in the quantity and prevalence of drug shortages has impacted hundreds of thousands of people with cancer throughout the United States. During Hill Day, HOPA advocates urged their elected officials to continue to look for and support solutions to address drug shortages in order to ensure patients have access to life-saving treatments.
Oral chemotherapy parity will make treatment more affordable for millions of people
Advocates encouraged their elected officials to support and cosponsor the Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2023 (H.R. 6301 / S. 2039), which would require any group health plan that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment to provide coverage for orally-administered and self-injectable anticancer medications at a cost no less favorable than the cost of IV, port-administered, or injected anticancer medications. Essentially, this bill would protect the approximately 140 million patients covered by federally regulated group health plans by ending the preference for cancer care that is not administered orally.
Oncology pharmacists play a critical role in optimizing cancer care
The role of hematology/oncology pharmacists has changed dramatically in recent years, with a transition in central responsibility from dispensing medication to providing direct patient care. Understanding the roles, responsibilities, and competencies of oncology pharmacists gives legislators a clearer picture of cancer care delivery. HOPA members, patients, and caregivers advocated for the profession by sharing their experiences and perspectives with elected officials during Hill Day.
HOPA plans to visit Capitol Hill in person on September 23, 2024 and will again invite HOPA members, as well as people with cancer and their caregivers to share their stories with elected officials.
Anyone who is interested in getting involved in advocacy can also do so by joining HOPA's grassroots messaging campaign in their online Legislative Action Center.
