Oncology State Societies Advocacy Resources

Advocacy Aimed at Improving Access and Outcomes in Cancer Care: To address policies and practices that affect patient care and access, the Oncology State Societies (OSS) leads a policy and advocacy program focused on legislation and regulations impacting patient care and provider access. OSS has expanded its reach by collaborating with local and national organizations and state lobbyists to prioritize key legislative issues.

The OSS policy program has helped establish a policy communication and learning infrastructure in 15 participating states with over 130 engaged multidisciplinary providers across the US, demonstrating the collective power available to drive meaningful change. By collaborating to address key policy issues, OSS members can have a tangible impact on improving patient care and quality of life for both patients and caregivers.

To learn more about your state’s policy committee, email Lu Anne Bankert at lbankert@accc-cancer.org.

Town Hall Executive Summary

OSS Policy Town Hall

In September 2024, the Oncology State Societies held a Policy Committee Town Hall Meeting that brought together oncology professionals, lobbyists, and state society leaders to discuss key legislative and advocacy priorities impacting oncology care across the US. There were 83 total attendees, including the ACCC President-Elect and 55 members across 18 State Societies.

Discussions focused on:

Bipartisan support for cancer initiatives
Challenges with Medicaid and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms
State-level advocacy efforts such as prior authorization and biomarker testing
Patient and provider story collections
Strategies for effective lobbying and coalition-building

Gain strategies to utilize local lobbyists, build effective coalitions, and collaborate with other states to advance key federal- and state-level legislation and advocacy priorities.

Download Summary

The Advocacy Engagement Report provides OSS members with comprehensive case studies on issues that galvanized state societies to act. The report documents the specific actions taken by different state policy committees to affect change.

Read the report to:

Unlock the 6 keys to successful grassroots advocacy as found in this effort.
Learn how states without governmental affairs resources leveraged the power of their membership and their committee expertise.
Benefit from lessons learned.
Gain inspiration from a nationwide effort across OSS members to effect change.

Download Report

Engaging in advocacy through our state societies is one of the most direct ways we can have a voice in healthcare policies impacting the care of our patients.
Haley M. Simpson, MD, PhD
Chair, Policy Committee, Rocky Mountain Oncology Society

Cancer Buzz Podcasts

LIVE from AMCCBS: Leading Policy Change at the State Level: Live this week from the ACCC 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ speaks with Wade Swenson, MD, MPH, MBA, FACP about Capitol Hill Day and how engaging in advocacy positively impacts oncology.
Role of Fellows in Medical Advocacy: Discover the importance, benefits, and long-term impact of engaging in policy and advocacy starting during oncology fellowship.
Impact of Medicare Part D Changes on Access to Care: Hear about the measures providers can take to educate their patients on the impact of Medicare policy updates on cancer care.
New Payments for Patient Navigation: Live from ACCC 50^th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), Dr. Mandi Pratt-Chapman discusses new patient navigation payments.
2024 Trending Now in Cancer Care: Hear from ACCC executive director Meagan O’Neill on trends in cancer care, including AI and prior authorization.
Policy Perspectives on Biomarker Testing Coverage for 2024: Hear policy perspectives and the latest state legislation for biomarker testing for Medicaid beneficiaries.