Excerpt from a letter signed by ASCO and other leading cancer organizations to President Barack Obama (July 13, 2011) urging him to resist proposed cuts to Medicare reimbursement for oncology drugs:

“Due to financial and administrative burdens that currently exist, community oncology practices already are reducing services and closing their doors across the United States at alarming rates. Additional Medicare cuts will result in a delay of services if providers are forced to eliminate or cut back on services. According to one study, over the past 3 years 199 cancer clinics have closed and 369 practices, with multiple clinic locations, are struggling financially. Specifically, practices already face significant Medicare cuts imposed on chemotherapy drugs and services.” ■