Protect Patient Access to Proton Therapy

CALL TO ACTION

Tell Your Elected Representatives — Protect Patient Access to Proton Therapy

What is happening? The government agency in charge of Medicare, CMS, is considering a 30% cut in reimbursement for proton therapy. The CY 2027 MPFS Proposed Rule does not come close to the actual costs of delivering proton therapy. If this rule passes, it will cause serious financial harm to centers like the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute that are categorized as freestanding facilities. The reduced payment would leave a hole in our budget that would be challenging at best.

Who does this hurt? Patients who need proton therapy, a highly effective and targeted cancer treatment that reduces side effects and protects quality-of-life during and after treatment.

How does it hurt patients? The financial hit could spell the end of proton therapy at freestanding centers. Many would fold under financial pressure. For patients with cancer, that means fewer options for access to proton therapy and the quality-of-life benefits that make it such an excellent treatment for children, young adults and anyone with tumors near critical organs.

Who can help? We are asking you as a patient alum, caregiver, colleague or friend to reach out to your congressional representatives. Ask them to urge CMS to remove the flawed national pricing proposal from the CY 2027 MPFS Final Rule. Your voice will add to the advocacy efforts of the National Association for Proton Therapy. The personal stories of patients are often what makes a meaningful difference with lawmakers.

Click to send an email to your congressional representative. In the online form, use the personal note section to add your story and why proton therapy was so important to you.

Learn more about the issue by clicking this link to a downloadable pdf.