The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is joining House Cancer Caucus leaders to urge federal action on Medicare reimbursement changes that took effect in 2026.
While the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) estimated the overall impact of the 2026 payment changes at approximately -1%, more than two-thirds of physicians responding to a national ASTRO survey in March reported double-digit reimbursement declines. Survey respondents reported clinic closures, physician and staff layoffs, canceled expansion plans, and increased pressure to consolidate, ASTRO said.
A national analysis published in July found that in 2025, more than 50 million Americans lived in counties without a radiation oncology clinic, with rural clinics having 44% higher odds of closing than urban sites and freestanding community-based clinics having 56% higher odds of closing than hospital-affiliated sites. ASTRO said the latest reimbursement changes could accelerate further clinic closures.
ASTRO is supporting the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Act, bipartisan legislation introduced in both the House and Senate that would move Medicare toward an episode-based reimbursement model. The legislation currently has 42 cosponsors and is projected to save Medicare $200 million over 10 years, according to ASTRO.
