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 summer recess that included many contentious town hall meetings, the North American Brain Tumor Coalition sent a letter to every Member of Congress identifying the essential elements of health reform for brain tumor patients. In its letter, the Coalition argued for a strong package of health insurance regulations and assistance to ensure that brain tumor patients can purchase insurance and afford their out-of-pocket costs. To ensure that health insurance coverage is meaningful, the Coalition argued that patients with brain tumors be guaranteed access to quality brain tumor care without delay and unnecessary review. Finally, the NABTC recommended that the consumer voice be heard during the long process of implementing health care reform by appointing patient advocates to the panels that will define benefit packages and make other determinations about health reform implementation.

The letter from the Coalition to Congress is attached. nabtc-defines-elements-of-health-reform-for-brain-tumor-patients

Posted in Advocacy Positions, Headlines, Health Care Reform