The Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act, H.R. 1078 and S. 2790

The Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act (CCCIA), H.R. 1078 and S. 2790, bears that name because it aims to ensure cancer patients access to care that combines primary therapy with symptom management. The Act itself is also comprehensive because it offers an aggressive and thorough set of recommendations for reform of the system of cancer care.

Over the past twenty-five years, the number of cancer survivors has increased from three million to eleven million. The growth in this population is due largely to progress in the treatment of cancer. However, this system of advanced treatment has often failed to provide survivors with care that addresses the side effects of both cancer and its treatment, which have a significant effect on their quality of life. Cancer survivors may not receive appropriate management of pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and depression, and may not have access to psychosocial services. Many cancer patients do not receive a treatment plan at the beginning of therapy, or a summary of their care and plan for monitoring and follow-up care at the end of treatment.

The Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act (CCCIA) includes a number of proposals that would advance a system of integrated cancer care and improved communication between patients and their health care teams regarding treatment options and follow-up care. By reforming Medicare reimbursement, enhancing training of professionals who treat cancer survivors, and testing and expanding model systems of integrated care, the Act would advance a system of quality, comprehensive cancer care.