Web Exclusive: Budget plan represents ASTRO self-referral win

Last week, Congress approved the 2010 budget blueprint that includes language opening the door to a legislative solution to end self-referral abuses in radiation therapy. ASTRO staff confirmed with the House Budget Committee that modifications to physician self-referral are relevant to references in the budget plan to both "changing incentives to encourage efficiency and higher quality care in a way that supports fiscal sustainability" and "holding providers accountable for their utilization patterns and quality of care". ASTRO staff and members worked with House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-S.C.) to educate him and his staff on loopholes in the physician self-referral law in radiation therapy that are limiting patient choice and potentially leading to inappropriate care. ASTRO staff also worked closely with Rep. Parker Griffith, M.D. (D-Ala.), who on March 19 wrote Chairman Spratt urging him to add language addressing this loophole in the budget resolution. During Advocacy Day in March, 96 ASTRO members met with more than 150 congressional offices and 334 ASTRO members contacted hundreds of offices, urging lawmakers to support Rep. Griffith's call for action on self-referral. While the resolution does not have the force of law, it paves the way for healthcare reform legislation and potential action on self-referral. ASTRO staff continues to work with key lawmakers and the Obama administration to advocate for removal of radiation therapy from the in office ancillary services exception to the self-referral law.