WASHINGTON, June 15 /PRNewswire/ --
WHAT: On Tuesday, June 22 the Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups and Newsweek will host a forum on Capitol Hill to discuss changes in Medicare reimbursement for cancer care associated with the newly passed Medicare Modernization Act (MMA). Issues that will be addressed include: * patient access to innovative and life-saving therapies * the role of clinical trials in providing high-quality treatment options for cancer patients and accelerating the pace of cancer research * how CMS' implementation of the MMA will impact cancer care practices, especially those in the community setting WHO: Opening Remarks: * Robert Comis, M.D., President and Chairman, Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups Moderator: * Alexis Gelber, Director of Special Projects, Newsweek Multi-disciplinary Panel: * Nancy Davenport-Ennis, President, Chief Executive Officer of the National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF) * Alan Keller, M.D., Research Chairman, Cancer Care Associates, Tulsa, Oklahoma * Mark McClellan, M.D., Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) * Larry Norton, M.D., Deputy Physician-in-Chief, Director of Breast Cancer Programs, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York * Debra Rosenberg, Deputy Washington Bureau Chief and National Correspondent, Newsweek WHY: Providing quality cancer care is important to securing optimal outcomes for patients. Cancer clinical trials can provide the highest quality care for cancer patients, but adult participation remains extremely low, at an estimated three to five percent of all patients. Access to quality cancer care, including that provided through clinical trials, is a significant issue for poor and medically underserved populations. These patients have higher risks of developing cancer and less chance of early diagnosis, optimal treatment and survival. The five-year survival rate for people who live in affluent areas is 10 percent higher than for people who live in poorer areas of the country. These gaps are expected to continue to rise in the United States. WHEN: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. WHERE: Library of Congress, James L. Madison Building The Mumford Room, Sixth Floor 101 Independence Ave, SE (corner of Independence Avenue and First Street, SE) Washington, DC 20540
National Cancer Cooperative Groups; NewsweekCONTACT: Reporters interested in attending the forum should contactJennifer Mallory for National Cancer Cooperative Groups and Newsweek,+1-312-552-1163, Jennifer.Mallory@edelman.com , or Rosanna Maietta ofNewsweek, +1-212-445-4859, rosanna.maietta@newsweek.com
