The Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act
6/20/2018
Providing Cancer Patients a Plan for Treatment and Survivorship
"Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) and Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) recently introduced the bipartisan Cancer Care Planning and Communications (CCPC) Act, H.R. 5160. As Reps. DeSaulnier and Poe are both cancer survivors, they understand the physical and emotional benefits of care planning for patients and their families facing a cancer diagnosis.
Most cancer patients still do not receive a written plan that explains their diagnosis, prognosis, treatments, and expected symptoms, leaving them to navigate the complexities of a cancer diagnosis without clear direction or knowing what to expect from their care. Research has confirmed that coordinated cancer care outlined in a written care plan—care that integrates active treatment and symptom management—improves patient outcomes, increases patient satisfaction, and reduces utilization of health care resources.
What does the CCPC Act Do?
The CCPC Act encourages the development of a personalized cancer care plan for Medicare beneficiaries.
The CCPC Act will:
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Help cancer patients through the difficult process of cancer diagnosis, treatment choices, treatment management, and survivorship care by supplying them with a written plan or roadmap.
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Promote shared decision-making between patients and their cancer care teams and support informed decisions, as treatment choices are becoming increasingly complex.
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Empower patients with information necessary to help manage and coordinate their care through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
The CCPC Act was previously introduced as the Planning Actively for Cancer Treatment (PACT) Act in past Congresses, and continues a longtime effort of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship to increase cancer care planning implementation throughout the country."
Click here to read the full artilce posted by CancerAdvocacy.org
NCCS-CCPC Fact Sheet
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