Advocating for the Rights of Patients

Cyndi Przekop, RN, BSN is our clinical manager and CPAN Chapter Advocacy Leader. She was joined by Physician Liaison/Intake Coordinator, Tanya Lent, at a Business Luncheon with Congressman Joe Courtney on January 24th.

They were fortunate to talk directly with Congressman Courtney about COA’s initiative to have bill H.R. 5526 passed.  

The Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act (H.R. 5526) is very straightforward. It would amend section 1877 of the Social Security Act to clarify that delivering medicines by mail, courier or other methods, or allowing a family member or caregiver to pick up medicines on behalf of a patient would not violate the Stark law and would fall within the scope of Stark’s IOAS exception. The bill would thus require CMS to revise its interpretation of current law that prohibits delivery of medicines to patients who are not physically present in the physician’s office.

COA, which stands for Community Oncology Alliance, is dedicated to advocating for community oncology patients and practices. Click here to learn more about their important efforts to make a difference in oncology care.