American Society for Radiation Oncology Announces Patient Protection Plan

February 7, 2010

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) announced a six-point patient protection on February 3, 2010.  The plan was described as the culmination of a long-term effort to assure that patients receive safe and effective radiation therapy, an effort that continued at the ASTRO Board of Directors winter meeting on January 28-31, 2010.

The ASTRO plan includes the following recommendations: 1) creating a database for the reporting of linear accelerator- and computed tomography-based medical errors, 2) launching an enhanced practice accreditation program, specifically addressing new, advanced technologies such as IMRT, SBRT, and brachytherapy, 3) expanding educational programs, with special emphasis on quality assurance and safety, 4) working with patient support organizations to develop tools for patients to use in discussions with (more...)

Posted in General News

Obama Administration Boosts NIH Funding in FY 2011 Budget Proposal

February 7, 2010

On February 1, 2010, the Obama Administration released its proposed budget for fiscal year 2011, including a boost of $1 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  This budget implements the President’s pledge to impose an overall freeze in domestic discretionary, eliminating or cutting certain programs to permit increases for others. 

In its press release announcing its budget proposal, the Department of Health and Human Services HHS) said that the $1 billion increase in NIH funding, to a total of $32.2 billion, will support innovative basic and clinical research projects.  According to HHS, “This effort will be guided by NIH’s five areas of exceptional research opportunities: supporting genomics and other high throughput technologies; translating basic science into new and better treatments; reinvogorating the biomedical research community; (more...)

Posted in Brain Tumor Research, General News, Spending Bills

National Institutes of Health Announces Identification of Subtypes of Glioblastoma Multiforme

February 7, 2010

In a January 19, 2010, press release, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the publication of a study by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network identifying four distinct molecular subtypes of glioblasoma multiforme (GBM).  These findings were heralded as pointing the way toward more personalized approaches to treatment of GBM patients.   The research team for TCGA is a collaborative effort funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).

The NIH release stated, “Although the findings do not affect current clinical practice, the researchers said the results may lead to more personalized approaches to treating groups of GBM patients based on their genomic alterations.  The study, published Jan. 19, 2010 in Cancer Cell, provides (more...)

Posted in Brain Tumor Research, General News

NABTC Applauds Inclusion of Clinical Trials Coverage in Senate Health Reform Bill

January 18, 2010

The North American Brain Tumor Coalition actively supported the efforts of Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to provide clinical trials coverage to patients through the health reform bill, and NABTC applauds the action by the Senate to include this provision in its reform package.  The Senate provision would require health and insurance plans to pay for the routine patient care costs for those enrolled in clinical trials, in a manner consistent with coverage of those costs if the patient were receiving standard therapy outside a trial.  

This provision of the Senate bill is of critical importance for individuals who wish to enroll in clinical trials, which may represent their best treatment option.  Third-party coverage of trials, by removing economic barriers to enrollment, will aid enrollment in trials and the (more...)

Posted in Advocacy Positions, Headlines, Health Care Reform

NABTC Joins Advocates in Describing Elements of Health Reform Bill to Assist the Disabled

January 18, 2010

The North American Brain Tumor Coalition joined more than 100 organizations in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) that describes elements that must be retained in the final health reform bill to assist those who are in the so-called Medicare waiting period.  These organizations, all supporters of the Coalition to End the Two-Year Wait for Medicare, have been a strong voice for the disabled during the health reform effort.

In its letter, the Coalition to End the Two-Year Wait for Medicare acknowledged that neither the House or Senate bill eliminates the waiting period.  However, the letter applauded the House and Senate for expanding Medicaid and for providing tax credits that might make private (more...)

Posted in Advocacy Positions, Headlines, Health Care Reform

NABTC Urges Senate Approval of Brown-Hutchison Clinical Trials Amendment

December 16, 2009

The North American Brain Tumor Coalition is urging Senators to approve the Brown-Hutchison amendment to require insurance coverage of clinical trials.  The bipartisan amendment, sponsored by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and offered as an amendment to the health reform bill, would require insurance and health plans to pay for the routine patient care costs that are incurred by patients who enroll in clinical trials.  The amendment would ensure that patients enjoy insurance coverage for care in trials that is comparable to the coverage they would enjoy outside a trial.

The Senate is attempting to finish its work on health reform before Christmas Day, so efforts to advance the clinical trials amendment must be undertaken immediately. 

In (more...)

Posted in Advocacy Positions, Brain Tumor Research, Health Care Reform

NABTC Identifies Essential Elements of Health Care Reform for Brain Tumor Patients

September 28, 2009

The North American Brain Tumor Coalition is closely monitoring the current deliberations of the Senate Finance Committee on its health reform bill and will remain vigilant during the remainder of the legislative process to protect the interests of brain tumor patients. 

Individuals with brain tumors sometimes find that they cannot purchase health insurance at the time they most need it, and even those with insurance may face crippling financial burdens due to high out-of-pocket costs.  Even though brain tumor care in the United States can be outstanding, it is not necessarily available to all who need it.   To improve brain tumor patients’ access to care, the NABTC supports a strong health reform package.

As the Congress returned to its work after a long (more...)

Posted in Advocacy Positions, Headlines, Health Care Reform

NABTC Mourns the Loss of Senator Edward M. Kennedy

August 31, 2009

The North American Brain Tumor Coalition (NABTC) mourns the loss of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, a champion for access to health care for all Americans.  Senator Kennedy was a tireless friend to the NABTC and all Americans fighting for better health care.  He fiercely and ceaselessly championed more biomedical research funding, a rejuvenated war on cancer, incentives for pediatric cancer therapeutic development, and universal access to health insurance. 

The NABTC, a coalition of brain tumor organizations dedicated to better brain tumor (more...)

Posted in General News

NABTC Articulates Principles of Quality Care for Brain Tumor Patients

July 22, 2009

The North American Brain Tumor Coalition has joined with other patient advocacy organizations in pressing Congress to approve health care reform that will ensure all Americans access to quality care.  The Coalition has also developed and circulated to policy-makers a set of principles for quality care for brain tumor patients.

Receiving a diagnosis of a brain tumor is the beginning of a difficult journey for brain tumor patients, and the health care system is often not responsive to the needs of those patients.   The Coalition has outlined the needs of brain tumor patients and will be working to ensure that a reformed health care system is responsive to these needs.

The NABTC document, Principles of Quality Care for Brain Tumor Patients, is attached.   principles-of-quality-care-for-brain-tumor-patients3

Posted in Advocacy Positions, General News, Headlines, Health Care Reform

NABTC Joins Cancer Leadership Council In Urging Health Reform That Responds to Needs of Cancer Patients

July 22, 2009

The North American Brain Tumor Coalition joined its colleagues in the cancer community in writing all Members of Congress to express their support for legislation that will ensure all Americans access to health care.  The Cancer Leadership Council also identified some key provisions that should be included in any reform bill.  These elements are: 1) insurance market reforms to guarantee that individuals who have pre-existing conditions will nonetheless have access to health insurance, 2) protection from annual and lifetime insurance caps, 3) elimination of cost-sharing requirements for prevention and screening services, 4) protection of important coverage standards to ensure that the policies that Americans are offered provide them comprehensive care, 5) inclusion of consumer advocates in advisory panels that will (more...)

Posted in Advocacy Positions, General News, Health Care Reform