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JUNE 2010
www.TheOncologyPharmacist.com
VOL 3, NO 4
der a e L d The ews an in N eeting e M erag Cov
CANCER CENTER PROFILE
Conference News: HOPA The following articles are based on presentations at the 6th Annual Conference of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association held in New Orleans, Louisiana, March 24-27, 2010.
Changes Ahead with Healthcare Reform: What’s in Store for Oncology Pharmacy? By Caroline Helwick
In the healing garden. Back row left to right: Joy Dimagmaliw, RNC; Joann Signorino, RN-BC; Charlotte Bradley, RN, OCN; Robyn Rex, RN, OCN; Debora Velmer, RN, CCM; Patricia Molinelli, MS, RN, APN-C, AOCNS; Rita Messemer, RN; Janet Belmonte, RNC. Bottom row left to right: Amalia Apuzzio, RN-BC; Bozena Owsieniuk, RN; Erica Schermer; Kathy Wagle, PCT.
Steeplechase Cancer Center Provides Patient-centered Care in Community Setting By Karen Rosenberg
NEW ORLEANS—With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, many changes are in store that will affect the field of oncology. Joseph S. Bailes, MD, chairman of the Government Relations Council and past-president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, described what oncology pharmacists can expect in his keynote address. “Cancer is viewed in Washington as an area that needs much greater efficiency,” he said, predicting that essentialContinued on page 8
Joseph S. Bailes, MD
VIEWPOINT
No, You Can’t Keep Your Health Plan Insurers and doctors are already consolidating their businesses in the wake of ObamaCare’s passage. By Scott Gottlieb, MD
teeplechase Cancer Center at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, New Jersey, was established in 2007 in response to community needs for easily accessible high-quality cancer care. The center is named for the steeplechase horse race, held each October in the neighboring community of Far Hills, New Jersey. Proceeds from the race are donated to the center and go to support expanded facilities and services. The cancer center occupies a large, state-of-the-art facility and offers a full range of services. “It houses everything you need for diagnosis and treatment of cancer in one place,” notes Joan Perrone, RPh, one of four pharmacists who service the infusion center at Steeplechase. Somerset
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resident Obama guaranteed Americans that after health reform became law they could keep their insurance plans and their doctors. It’s clear that this promise cannot be kept. Insurers and physicians are already reshaping their businesses as a result of Mr. Obama’s plan. The health-reform law caps how much insurers can spend on expenses and take for profits. Starting next year, health plans will have a regulated “floor” on their medical-loss ratios, which is the amount of revenue they spend on medical claims. Insurers can only spend 20% of their premiums on running their plans if they offer policies directly to consumers or to small employers. The spending cap is 15% for policies sold to large employers. This regulation is going to have its biggest impact on insurance sold directly to consumers—what’s referred to as the “individual market.” These policies cost more Continued on page 6
Y TAR EN LIM P M CO
CE Credit
Inside Conference News
Safe Handling
Active Surveillance as a Management Strategy for Low-risk Prostate Cancer
EPO Ordering Form Improves Guidelines Compliance, Saves Practices Money Based on a presentation by Siu-Fun Wong, PharmD
National Safe Handling Initiative An interview with Timothy Tyler, PharmD, FCSHP
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