CMS update: optimism / new way to take action!

[Guest guest]

Here's a new and easier way to make your voice heard.

Let's show everyone that patients are not passive bystanders in this matter!

Convey the sense of urgency. These agents are *invaluable* because they can

work - can induce durable remissions in patients that have not responded to

chemotherapies ... .

~ Karl

Betsy writes:

This morning we're heard some encouraging news that there is still optimism that

the Medicare bill, with our language in it, may yet get passed before the end of

the year. AARP sent out a bulletin to its members this morning, asking them to

" keep the pressure on.

Call today and tell your senators to strengthen Medicare. " In other words, they

are asking their members to call about the same bill - and AARP members are

known to be activists! We have allies! Even if you've called before, this is a

new message so we can continue to keep the pressure on.

We realize that calling long distance may present a hardship to some, but AARP

has even set up a toll-free number for people to contact their senators so that

people no longer need to incur long distance charges. This will work for

calling your own senators - but that's a huge help at this point. Here's how it

works:

1. Dial 1-800-795-5336.

2. Press 1 if you have a touch-tone phone or 2 if you have a rotary phone.

3. Enter your phone number.

4. Enter your zip code.

5. This will give you a choice of your two senators. Choose 1 (then you can

call back and choose the other).

As AARP tells its members, many people are hesitant to call Congress and that's

perfectly normal. They say, and we agree, that the secret is to be clear and

concise. Here are some key points to say to whomever answers:

1. Tell them that you are calling about CMS rule #1392 which will cut

reimbursement for two cancer drugs, Bexxar and Zevalin, to about half their cost

- and this will deny patient access to these life-saving drugs.

2. You understand that language is being offered into the Medicare bill that

will freeze the rates at 2007 levels which would give patients continued access

to the drugs while CMS gathers better data on which to base the rates.

3. You realize that this is a small part of the entire Medicare bill, but

Congress needs to act now to pass this bill before the rates go into effect on

January 1.