Walnut Creek, CA – On Friday, while hosting the East Bay Biden Cancer Community Summit, one of more than 450 across the globe, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) unveiled his bill to better support patients before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis.
The bipartisan Patient Navigation Assistance Act (H.R. 6808), authored with fellow cancer survivor and co-chair of the Congressional Cancer Survivors Caucus Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX), would expand the use of patient navigators by requiring Medicaid to reimburse for patient navigation services. The summit itself was held in conjunction with Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden’s worldwide call to action to double the progress in treating and curing cancer.
“As someone who has heard the three words ‘you have cancer’ and immediately experienced the confusion of thoughts, fears, anxieties, and unknowns that come with it, I know that having a trained professional to help provide logistical and emotional assistance through the complicated treatment process is beneficial and reassuring,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “Patient navigators guide cancer patients and their families through the complexities of the health care system by providing services like communicating with a patient’s health care team, managing medical paperwork, connecting patients with doctors, scheduling appointments, arranging transportation to and from treatment, and answering insurance questions. They have been shown to reduce health care disparities in underserved populations and improve the mental health of cancer patients.”
“By the end of 2018, nearly 1.8 million people will have had their lives turned upside down by a cancer diagnosis. As a cancer survivor, I understand how difficult the following stages of the treatment process are,” said Congressman Poe. “This bill will ensure Medicaid patients are reimbursed by the state for patient navigation services received. Whether it is arranging transportation to and from the hospital, helping patients to better communicate with their doctors, helping patients better understand their diagnosis and treatment process, or providing counseling and support, patient navigators alleviate burdens placed on patients.”
“A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Patients who are assisted by navigators are more likely to receive recommended preventive services and have chronic conditions that are better managed compared with those without access to these services” said Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “This legislation will help patients overcome health care system barriers and facilitate timely access to quality medical and psychosocial care from pre-diagnosis through all phases of the cancer experience.”
“Patient navigation has shown positive outcomes for people at risk of cancer and for those being treated for cancer. ONS is pleased to work with Rep. DeSaulnier and the bill’s patient navigation advisory committee to ensure access to patient-centered quality cancer care,” said Laura Fennimore, Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) President
“The Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) thanks Representatives Mark DeSaulnier and Ted Poe for introducing The Patient Navigation Assistance Act. Patient navigators are essential to the well-being of many cancer patients, who may be overwhelmed by the challenges they face on their cancer journey, from diagnosis and treatment to survivorship. Many AACI cancer centers offer patient navigation services without knowing whether the costs will be covered. This uncertainty not only impacts patients, but also our ability to train and certify our navigators – a vital part of the cancer care team. Ensuring these services are available for patients with cancer on Medicaid is a step in the right direction,” said Stanton L. Gerson, MD, President, Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) and Director of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.
A complete list of the groups supporting H.R. 6808 includes: American Cancer Society – Cancer Action Network, American Society of Clinical Oncologists, Association of American Cancer Institutes, Livestrong, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Oncology Nursing Society, and the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
