Advocacy

Advocacy – Your Voice in Government

MOASC advocates on behalf of hematologists/oncologists with State and Federal government agencies, regional and national medical societies, and insurance and pharmaceutical companies to ensure hematologists/oncologists can provide quality care to people living with cancer. Join us in influencing change and directly shaping the future of cancer care. Our grassroots advocacy efforts are a key aspect of membership. We are a committed advocate and liaison for our members before government, private and corporate entities from coast to coast. We also play an active role in the reimbursement environment on behalf of physicians, nurses, managers and people living with cancer.

MOASC and ANCO's Public Policy Priorities

Policy Priority 1: Promoting timely access to quality cancer care is a core value of MOASC and ANCO.
 
Policy Priority 2: Cancer care is a crucial part of healthcare and the entire health science ecosystem. Therefore, funding for the healthcare system as a whole, as well as funding for research and development, is important to MOASC and ANCO to actively safeguard.
 
Policy Priority 3: Legislation is a valuable tool to create meaningful change to safeguard and improve cancer care. Therefore, MOASC and ANCO proactively seek legislative changes in California to improve cancer care, when appropriate.
 
Policy Priority 4: MOASC and ANCO are part of California’s dynamic physician community and strive to safeguard the well-being of California’s physicians.
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California Advocacy

In Sacramento, both MOASC and ANCO are represented by joint contract lobbyist, Cher Gonzalez, a partner at Resolute. Resolute is a Sacramento based lobbying and strategic counsel firm. Together, both organizations are working on advocacy issues before the California Legislature and regulatory bodies in a coordinated manner.  MOASC also cooperates with the California Medical Association sharing the oncology specialty delegation with ANCO. 

The California Cancer Caucus - In 2018 MOASC, along with the Association of Northern California Oncologists (ANCO), the National Oncology State Network (NOSN) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS-CAN) began bringing together California’s critical allies in the care, treatment, research, and support for our cancer community. The mission of the Caucus is to develop a continuous line of communication and education between stakeholders and health policy decision makers, as a resource for all cancer related public policy.
California Cancer Caucus Fact Sheet

National Advocacy

MOASC, as a state/regional affiliate of the Association of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and works with ASCO before Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on current legislation and regulations impacting cancer care. Review the current national advocacy issues and get involved via ASCO’s ACT Network.  

Private Payers

MOASC communicates with private insurance companies on key issues. While we cannot negotiate on behalf of our members with respect to reimbursement and payment, we are proactive on our members behalf with respect to access to quality cancer care and those factors that may delay quality care.

MOASC, in cooperation with ANCO have successfully advocated for the passage of several laws in California that call for prompt payment, independent review, off-label coverage, and coverage of routine care costs for patients enrolled in clinical trials.