Simply put, if community oncology does not get congressional support, the Medicare payment cuts to drug administration, consultation services, diagnostic imaging, and radiation treatment will go into effect on January 1, 2010.

If you want these cuts, do nothing. Seriously. If you want to fight these cuts, reach out to your Representatives to sign onto the “dear colleague” letter being circulated in the House asking Representatives to join in a request to HHS Secretary Sebelius to stop implementation of the Medicare cuts to cancer care. This effort is being led by Congressman Steve Israel along with Representatives A. Davis, Wasserman Schultz, Gordon, Tanner, Cohen, and D. Davis.

The deadline for signing the letter is tomorrow, Wednesday (10/14) at noon. To date, 55 Representatives have signed the letter. For an updated list, go to the COA website at www.communityoncology.org under Immediate Action Needed.

Please call your Representatives today to sign the letter. On the COA website at www.communityoncology.org under Immediate Action Needed is information on this issue, with talking points and background. Also, we have posted the names and contact information for the health legislative assistants in each House office. The health legislative assistants will be the best individuals to call to ask your Representatives to sign onto the Medicare cancer cuts letter.

Please do this IMMEDIATELY because of the deadline.

Finally, is there a war on oncologists? If you have not read the Wall Street Journal article suggesting there is, we suggest you read it and pass along to your colleagues. Go to http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704471504574443472658898710.html to access the article.

To read the thoughts of COA President Patrick Cobb, MD and Executive Director Ted Okon on this go to http://www.oncologystat.com/news-and-viewpoints/cancer-policy-forum/Is_There_a_War_on_Oncologists.html to access their article.