CRANBURY, NJ (Sept. 6, 2022) – The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) collaborated with other members of the Cancer Leadership Council (CLC) on a unified appeal to the Senate to include provisions to the Inflation Reduction Act concerning Medicare Part D and Enhanced Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs). The joint effort resulted in a three-page letter sent to The Honorable Charles Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, and The Honorable Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader, on August 5, 2022.
“In our discussions, CLC participants brought diverse points of view to the group—allowing for enrichment of policy understandings and effects on patients,” says Sharon Gentry, MSN, RN, HON-ONN-CG, AOCN, CBCN, AONN+ Program Director. “Collectively, we decided to focus on bringing the best voice of the patient forward and therefore asked for protection of Medicare Part D, through steps like capping annual out-of-pocket costs at $2,000, and to enhance overall APTC provisions to ensure patients enjoy the protections they offer.”
The letter, which was timed to be in front of Senators during the vote, makes the following key appeals:
- Improvements in cancer treatments have not been comparable across all cancers, and even those with access to effective therapies may experience serious side effects of cancer and cancer treatment, including financial toxicity.
- Although the Medicare Part D and enhanced APTC provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act will not eliminate the financial toxicity of cancer care that many cancer patients experience, they are actions that will help many cancer patients and others with serious and life-threatening illnesses requiring significant treatment accompanied by significant costs.
On Saturday, August 6, the Senate approved the Inflation Reduction Act by a vote of 51 to 50, with Vice President Harris breaking the tie.
About the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators, Inc. (AONN+)
The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators, Inc. (AONN+), is the largest national specialty organization dedicated to improving patient care and quality of life by defining, enhancing, and promoting the role of oncology nurse and patient navigators. The organization, which has more than 8900 members, was founded in 2009 to provide a network for all professionals involved and interested in patient navigation and survivorship care services in order to better manage the complexities of the cancer treatment process. www.aonnonline.org
For Immediate Release
Gwen Coverdale, 267-884-6328
