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Finding a third way in cancer treatment

A recent column ("Fixing a Medicare muddle," Commentary, Saturday) outlined concerns about the reimbursement formula for cancer medications under the Medicare legislation. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) shares these concerns about reduced reimbursements for cancer medications but does not advocate a return to the average wholesale price reimbursement system for drugs, through which doctors were overpaid for chemotherapy and underreimbursed for other essential patient services.

In fact, for more than 10 years, ASCO has stated that Medicare's reimbursement system for cancer treatment was illogical and needed to be revised to adequately reflect the actual costs of cancer treatment delivery.

ASCO endorsed reform of this broken system and does not seek to reverse the legislation. We are concerned that the statute provided only a one-year transition payment, while congressionally mandated studies of the new system's feasibility are not due until 2006 or later. ASCO simply asks for an interim solution that would continue transition payments until the facts are in.

Cancer is a complex disease to treat, requiring highly specialized doctors, nurses, pharmacists, psychosocial support, nutrition counseling, equipment and supplies. The Medicare legislation as it stands, however, may result in a significant cut in coverage of these patient services in 2005 and beyond.

People with cancer need access to high-quality cancer care, and maintaining that access to care is ASCO's highest priority. We will work with Congress to ensure that all cancer patients receive the treatment they need to fight this dread disease.

MARGARET TEMPERO

President