Advocacy Action Center
Communicating with our elected officials is an important way in which people with lymphoma and their caregivers and loved ones can champion increased support for lymphoma research and federal efforts to improve cancer care in the United States. When you register to receive LRF Advocacy Program email alerts, you will help ensure that the voice of the lymphoma community is heard!
Urge Your Representatives to Protect Immune Compromised Community Against COVID-19
On January 18, the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) sent a letter to President Biden and federal health policy and scientific leadership to urge additional actions to protect immune compromised individuals against the risks of COVID-19, including people with lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Click here to read the letter.
As the letter outlines, important strides have been made in the development of COVID-19 vaccines and therapies. Throughout the pandemic, the Foundation has supplied the lymphoma community with updated information and education programs. LRF’s Lymphoma and COVID-19 Panel has communicated with health care professionals and patients who are immune compromised regarding risk mitigation, vaccination, and new treatments. The panel now urges action to increase the availability of these treatments for immunocompromised individuals.
You can help LRF make the voice of the lymphoma and CLL community heard by sharing the letter with your elected representatives using the template letter below. Don’t forget to personalize your letter and explain why this issue is important to you!
Urge Your Representatives to Grant Access to Critical Diagnostics: Sponsor HR 3772
On July 16, 2019, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) and Rep. Bobby Rush (IL-01), along with Rep. George Holding (NC-02), introduced the bipartisan Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act of 2019 (HR 3772). The bill would expand patient access to highly targeted, precision diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals that evaluate conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and some cancers—allowing patients to get the right treatment faster.
The new bill would ensure that hospitals receive adequate Medicare reimbursement to cover the high-value, low-volume diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals that are used in these nuclear medicine procedures, correcting a flawed payment philosophy and leaving hospitals free to perform the nuclear medicine procedures that patients need. To help ensure the equitable payment of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals in the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System, you can send a letter of support to your member of Congress.
Ask Senators to Support the Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act
A written and developed care plan can help patients through the difficult process of diagnosis, treatment choices and management, and survivorship. Ask Congress to support the Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act, which would encourage the development of a personalized cancer care plan for Medicare beneficiaries and ensure coverage of cancer care planning and coordination services.
Urge Congress to Support the Cancer Drug Parity Act During BCAM
For some cancer patients, there are no viable alternatives to oral chemotherapy drugs, which often come with much higher out-of-pocket costs than traditional IV treatments. The Cancer Drug Parity Act would ensure oral cancer drugs are covered in the same way as traditional IV chemotherapy, bringing down costs for cancer patients and eliminating financial barriers standing between them and lifesaving treatment.
