Community Oncology Alliance presses Congress on cancer care access

Community Oncology Alliance advocates met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill on June 10, 2026, to push bipartisan changes aimed at lowering cancer care costs and protecting access to independent community oncology practices. The group is urging action on Medicare payment, site-neutral rules, 340B reform and pharmacy restrictions that can delay treatment.

Why it matters: - Community oncology practices say declining Medicare reimbursement and rising costs are putting local cancer care at risk. - Patients can face higher prices in hospital outpatient departments than in independent community oncology clinics. - Policy changes on reimbursement, site-neutral payment and pharmacy rules could shape where patients get treatment and what they pay.

What happened: - Nearly 100 Community Oncology Alliance advocates were in Washington, D.C., on June 10, 2026, to meet with members of Congress. - The advocates came from 28 states and included patients, survivors, caregivers, clinicians, pharmacists, pharmacy team members and practice leaders. - During Capitol Hill meetings, the group asked lawmakers to back bipartisan policies that support independent community oncology care.

The details: - Advocates urged Congress to pass a technical fix to the Inflation Reduction Act and support the Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act, or H.R. 4299. - The group also wants physician reimbursement linked to the Medicare Economic Index. - COA called on Congress to require CMS to address 2026 payment shortfalls that could affect access to community-based radiation therapy. - Advocates pushed for site-neutral payment policies so patients are not charged more for the same cancer service in a hospital outpatient department. - The group also called for 340B Drug Pricing Program reforms so savings reach patients directly. - COA urged passage of the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act, or H.R. 2484. - The alliance also wants Congress to address PBM practices including mandatory mail-order requirements, burdensome utilization management and step therapy policies that can delay or disrupt treatment. - Nicolas Ferreyros, COA managing director, said Congress has an opportunity to advance practical solutions that strengthen access to affordable, high-quality cancer care. - Ferreyros said advocates were meeting with lawmakers to share firsthand experiences and urge action on policies that help patients get care when and where they need it.

Between the lines: - COA is using patient and clinician visits to frame the debate around affordability, access and local care rather than broader health system politics. - The emphasis on Medicare, 340B and PBM reform points to pressure points that community oncology practices say most directly affect whether treatment stays close to home. - The push for site-neutral payment rules reflects a larger fight over how hospitals and independent practices are reimbursed for the same service.

What’s next: - COA advocates said they gather several times a year to meet with members of Congress. - The alliance is directing people to CommunityOncology.org for more information. - COA is also pointing advocates to its CPAN program at communityoncology.org/coa-initiatives/cpan/ to get involved.

The bottom line: - COA is pressing Congress to use pending bipartisan policy fixes to keep cancer care affordable, local and available for patients treated in independent community practices.