ASTRO Calls for Medicare Payment Stability Following Dr. Mehmet Oz's Confirmation as CMS Administrator

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has issued a formal statement congratulating Dr. Mehmet Oz on his recent confirmation as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), while also urging the new leadership to prioritize meaningful reforms to Medicare payment systems—especially for cancer care.

Howard M. Sandler, MD, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors, expressed optimism about working with Dr. Oz and the CMS team on pressing healthcare issues. He emphasized that cancer care, which is predominantly covered by Medicare, hinges on stable and equitable reimbursement systems. "ASTRO congratulates Dr. Mehmet Oz...we look forward to working collaboratively on Medicare payment reform and prior authorization," Sandler stated. He underscored that these improvements are essential to maintaining patient access to timely, high-quality cancer treatment.

A key piece of legislation ASTRO is promoting is the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Act. This bipartisan, bicameral bill was introduced in Congress in March 2025 and is designed to establish a stable, value-based reimbursement model for radiation therapy services. ASTRO believes that adopting the ROCR Act would ensure consistent funding across all care settings, helping to prevent disruptions in treatment delivery that can result from unpredictable or insufficient Medicare payments.

The organization highlighted that the vast majority of cancer patients in the U.S.—many of whom are elderly—depend on Medicare. This makes CMS policies critically important for sustaining cancer treatment infrastructure across the country. ASTRO argues that the ROCR Act provides a practical, patient-centered path forward by tying payments to quality and outcomes rather than volume alone.

The call for reform has been echoed by a wide coalition of nearly 100 stakeholders, including hospitals, independent radiation oncology centers, medical societies, patient advocacy organizations, and health technology firms. These groups recently signed a joint letter to congressional leaders advocating for the swift passage of the ROCR Act. The letter emphasized that a predictable and sustainable payment model is urgently needed to support cancer care providers and ensure patients can receive treatment without delay or disruption.

ASTRO reiterated its willingness to work closely with CMS to advance policies that protect access to radiation therapy and reduce administrative burdens, such as excessive prior authorization requirements. The organization is hopeful that under Dr. Oz's leadership, CMS will prioritize reforms that place patients at the heart of every decision and foster a more efficient, transparent, and supportive environment for cancer treatment.

By aligning with lawmakers, providers, and patient advocates, ASTRO aims to shape a future in which cancer patients—regardless of where they live or their financial situation—can depend on Medicare to cover the care they need.