2022 COA Membership Renewal Letter
Dear Community Oncology Supporter,
The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) is your association. Our mission is advocating for your patients and practices, supporting everything you do and every challenge you face. We are here for you!
But we cannot do it alone or without your financial support, which is why we are asking you to please support COA by renewing or becoming a paying member for the 2022 year. We only write once a year asking for financial support, and this is it, our annual membership drive. The rest of the year, we focus on supporting you and spreading the word about the value of community oncology.
As the COVID-19 pandemic recedes and vaccines succeed, COA is working diligently to ensure community oncology is prepared to meet the latest operational challenges. At the same time, our advocacy efforts are making sure your voice is heard by lawmakers, policymakers, and industry giants alike as they debate the important issues that impact the future of cancer care.
While most of 2021 was relatively quiet, winter has arrived with a flurry of important activity. Luckily, thanks to the support of our members, COA is able to act quickly and decisively:
- Most importantly, COA is currently leading the charge to stop a 45% cut to medical oncology payments in the Build Back Better Act. The fine print of this massive bill implements government drug price negotiations on the backs of cancer providers, and the results would be disastrous. We have launched a massive advertising and advocacy effort, have the ears of Congress, and are hoping to fix the bill before it is too late.
- Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, COA’s Executive Director, Ted Okon testified about PBM abuses and dirty tricks before a Congressional forum hosted by the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight & Reform. From DIR Fees to fail first step therapy and prior authorization, it is looking like Congress is serious about PBM reform with COA’s help and input.
- After months without answers, COA submitted a letter to CMS and CMMI asking that it immediately extend the Oncology Care Model (OCM) through the end of 2022. Beginning to wind down the OCM starting at the end of this year without any clear reasons, or a successor model, will waste millions of taxpayers’ dollars – not to mention the successes of participating practices in transforming cancer care.
- States are increasingly the place where the most meaningful health policy becomes a reality. Recognizing that, this fall, COA brought on board a dedicated senior staff member to support practice advocacy at the state level. With this new capacity, we will be taking on a leading role in state-level issues, such as PBM reform, hospital consolidation, and more.
We hope you will agree that, whether it’s working with legislators to introduce bills on PBM reform, keeping members informed about disparities in cancer screenings, or planning next year’s Community Oncology Conference, it is clear that COA members receive unparalleled access to the critical intelligence, valuable resources, and advocacy support needed to succeed.
In case this year hasn’t been challenging enough, COA is expecting 2022 to be really busy and tumultuous for your patients and practices. Why? Because the midterm elections will see all 435 seats in the House and 34 seats in the Senate up for election. The party that comes out on top will have tremendous influence over the policies that impact you. These midterm elections are particularly important if you consider that the “drug pricing” debate is still raging and far from settled.
Please help us continue to support you and the challenges you face going into 2022. Every dollar contributed enables COA to continue being your strongest advocate for independent, community oncology. By becoming a paying member, you can ensure that COA is fully funded and prepared for what is expected to be a very busy year.
Enclosed is the official request form for financial support to COA for 2022. To encourage flexibility, you can make a lump payment or spread payments over the year on a quarterly or monthly basis. Payment is accepted by check or credit card. See the enclosure for details.
We hope you agree that COA serves as an invaluable, unwavering source of support for your practices and, most importantly, the patients you serve. Contribute today to support community oncology and the important work that COA does on your behalf.
Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for your support!
Kashyap Patel, MD
President
Ted Okon
Executive Director
PS: Don’t forget about the 2022 Community Oncology Conference that will be safely returning IN PERSON, March 17-18, 2022, to the Gaylord Palms in beautiful Kissimmee, Florida. We have a fantastic agenda planned with community oncology-specific content covering clinical, business, and pharmacy topics. COA members and practices get a special discounted rate, so be sure to support us for 2022 to access this special pricing!
2022 COA Membership Renewal Letter
Dear Community Oncology Supporter,
The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) is your association. Our mission is advocating for your patients and practices, supporting everything you do and every challenge you face. We are here for you!
But we cannot do it alone or without your financial support, which is why we are asking you to please support COA by renewing or becoming a paying member for the 2022 year. We only write once a year asking for financial support, and this is it, our annual membership drive. The rest of the year, we focus on supporting you and spreading the word about the value of community oncology.
As the COVID-19 pandemic recedes and vaccines succeed, COA is working diligently to ensure community oncology is prepared to meet the latest operational challenges. At the same time, our advocacy efforts are making sure your voice is heard by lawmakers, policymakers, and industry giants alike as they debate the important issues that impact the future of cancer care.
While most of 2021 was relatively quiet, winter has arrived with a flurry of important activity. Luckily, thanks to the support of our members, COA is able to act quickly and decisively:
- Most importantly, COA is currently leading the charge to stop a 45% cut to medical oncology payments in the Build Back Better Act. The fine print of this massive bill implements government drug price negotiations on the backs of cancer providers, and the results would be disastrous. We have launched a massive advertising and advocacy effort, have the ears of Congress, and are hoping to fix the bill before it is too late.
- Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, COA’s Executive Director, Ted Okon testified about PBM abuses and dirty tricks before a Congressional forum hosted by the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight & Reform. From DIR Fees to fail first step therapy and prior authorization, it is looking like Congress is serious about PBM reform with COA’s help and input.
- After months without answers, COA submitted a letter to CMS and CMMI asking that it immediately extend the Oncology Care Model (OCM) through the end of 2022. Beginning to wind down the OCM starting at the end of this year without any clear reasons, or a successor model, will waste millions of taxpayers’ dollars – not to mention the successes of participating practices in transforming cancer care.
- States are increasingly the place where the most meaningful health policy becomes a reality. Recognizing that, this fall, COA brought on board a dedicated senior staff member to support practice advocacy at the state level. With this new capacity, we will be taking on a leading role in state-level issues, such as PBM reform, hospital consolidation, and more.
We hope you will agree that, whether it’s working with legislators to introduce bills on PBM reform, keeping members informed about disparities in cancer screenings, or planning next year’s Community Oncology Conference, it is clear that COA members receive unparalleled access to the critical intelligence, valuable resources, and advocacy support needed to succeed.
In case this year hasn’t been challenging enough, COA is expecting 2022 to be really busy and tumultuous for your patients and practices. Why? Because the midterm elections will see all 435 seats in the House and 34 seats in the Senate up for election. The party that comes out on top will have tremendous influence over the policies that impact you. These midterm elections are particularly important if you consider that the “drug pricing” debate is still raging and far from settled.
Please help us continue to support you and the challenges you face going into 2022. Every dollar contributed enables COA to continue being your strongest advocate for independent, community oncology. By becoming a paying member, you can ensure that COA is fully funded and prepared for what is expected to be a very busy year.
Enclosed is the official request form for financial support to COA for 2022. To encourage flexibility, you can make a lump payment or spread payments over the year on a quarterly or monthly basis. Payment is accepted by check or credit card. See the enclosure for details.
We hope you agree that COA serves as an invaluable, unwavering source of support for your practices and, most importantly, the patients you serve. Contribute today to support community oncology and the important work that COA does on your behalf.
Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for your support!
Kashyap Patel, MD
President
Ted Okon
Executive Director
PS: Don’t forget about the 2022 Community Oncology Conference that will be safely returning IN PERSON, March 17-18, 2022, to the Gaylord Palms in beautiful Kissimmee, Florida. We have a fantastic agenda planned with community oncology-specific content covering clinical, business, and pharmacy topics. COA members and practices get a special discounted rate, so be sure to support us for 2022 to access this special pricing!
