Are you looking for ways to discuss the issues that impact the oncology community with members of Congress? Doing so is easier than you think. ASCO’s ACT Network provides many different opportunities to contact your policymakers, including the ability to draft your own message to your member of Congress, find phone numbers and mailing addresses for your elected officials, and see how your member of Congress votes on the key issues.
Policymakers, both local and national, make decisions every day that directly influence cancer treatment and research. Oncologists are uniquely qualified to communicate with Congress and the White House about effective policies for providing the best quality care to cancer patients. Most importantly, oncologists’ perspectives are a necessity to the development of sound cancer policy.
“Members of Congress make frequent decisions that affect cancer care and research, but they do not have the experience of an oncologist or oncology professional,” said Richard L. Schilsky, MD, Chair of ASCO’s Government Relations Committee. “It is very important that we educate them on the problems faced by patients with cancer and the challenges in trying to move cancer research and treatment forward.”
By joining the ACT Network, you will become part of a team that is dedicated to shaping the future of oncology by influencing Congress and other policymakers on important legislation. No legislative advocacy experience is necessary, ASCO will provide the tools necessary to create and sustain these relationships. Once you sign up, you will receive timely updates on the latest congressional and regulatory activity and updates on emerging policy issues that interest you. Recent alerts have focused on research funding, reimbursement, and drug shortages.
If you are interested in learning more about ASCO’s ACT Network or would like to join, please go to: http://ascoaction.asco.org/AdvocacyTools.aspx. ■
© 2012. American Society of Clinical Oncology. All rights reserved.
