On Wednesday, June 10, several ACRO representatives flew to Washington D.C. to discuss healthcare reform with the U.S. Congress. These physicians met with several Members of Congress and their staff who sit on the relevant authorizing committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives and the Senate. ACRO representatives also met with committee staff for the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.

ACRO representatives discussed several issues with Congressional Members and staff of importance to the radiation therapy community including:

• Ensuring that any revisions to physician payments under Medicare generally are appropriate and effective for the radiation oncology specialty,
• Educating Hill staff on the distinction between radiation therapy and other specialties, such as diagnostic imaging. Addressing abuses in the Stark self-referral law.

The day was highlighted by a visit to the Office of Representative R. Parker Griffith, a Democrat from Alabama, and a retired Radiation Oncologist. Dr. Griffith is very understanding of the issues that radiation oncologists face including the Ancillary Label applied to Therapeutic Radiation Practitioners.

Also visited were the offices of:

• Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA)
• Representative Shelley Berkley (D-NV)
• Representative Mark Steven Kirk (R-IL)
• Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)

ACRO heard significant positive feedback on its issues during the Lobby Day and will be capitalizing on these meetings in the weeks and months ahead as healthcare reform continues to take focus. Many thanks to Dr. Arve Gillette, Dr. Michael Kerley and Dr. William Rate for helping to make the ACRO Government Day a huge success!