National Survey: Americans Fear Paying for Cancer Treatment As Much As Dying of the Disease

WASHINGTON (Map) - WASHINGTON, July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) announced results of a national survey that reveals the inability to pay for cancer care is among Americans' top fears about the disease. Seven out of ten report being very concerned about paying for cancer treatment if they developed the disease (69%), the same proportion who are very concerned about dying of it (68%). Only the cancer consequences of having a poor quality of life (75%) and being in pain (72%) evoke slightly more concern.

COA commissioned Opinion Research Corporation to survey a statistically representative sample of 1,022 adult Americans 18 years of age or older. The survey was conducted June 26-30, 2009.

These Americans speak from experience: 79% of the survey respondents reported having a family member or friend diagnosed with cancer. Other top concerns regarding a cancer diagnosis include being unable to work (61%) and leaving their families in debt (59%).

"The need for healthcare reform is especially critical for cancer care," explained Patrick Cobb, M.D., president of COA and managing partner of Hematology-Oncology Centers of the Northern Rockies in Billings, Montana. "The increasing cost of drugs, declining Medicare reimbursement, and current financial crisis have created a 'perfect storm' that jeopardizes community cancer clinics, where most Americans with cancer are treated."

The survey reveals a lack of confidence in the cancer healthcare payment system, including both private insurance plans and the Medicare system. Less than half (45%) believe their private insurance plans would cover the full cost of cancer treatment, while only 25% believe Medicare would cover treatment costs. Only 41% believe they would be covered for care in a community cancer clinic, where 84% of cancer treatment actually occurs.

Dr. Cobb continued, "Though the U.S. has the best cancer care delivery system in the world, the system is now in first-stage crisis because Medicare has substantially cut payments for cancer drugs and essential services. Oncologists are spending an inordinate amount of time dealing with patient financial issues, including trying to find ways of navigating the insurance maze and identifying drug and co-payment assistance for patients in need. Community cancer clinics have had to close satellite facilities and cut staff. Smaller clinics are struggling to operate and more will close."

The survey found that most Americans say they could not afford the typical monthly cost of cancer treatment not covered by insurance plans. Only a third (37%) say they could pay up to $1,000 per month towards their cancer care not covered by insurance plans. And only 16% say they could pay up to $2,500 per month towards cancer care.

"Monthly out-of-pocket costs for cancer care and treatment, not covered by private insurance plans or Medicare, can easily run to $1,000 or more," explained Dr. Cobb. "For many cancer patients, the costs of diagnostic imaging, surgery and expensive cancer medications, especially in the first few months of treatment, can add up to well beyond $2,500 per month."

To pay for cancer care, Americans report they would take a variety of dire steps. Nearly seven out of ten (66%) report they would go on government assistance to pay the cost of cancer treatment. Four out of ten or more would sell their cars (48%) or their homes (38%), would borrow the money (44%) or declare bankruptcy (40%). Fully one third (33%) say they would simply stop the cancer treatment.

Most (85%) of Americans believe a government-run health plan would have significant disadvantages for cancer care, compared to their own current insurance plans. They see higher taxes as the mostly likely disadvantage of a government-run health plan (74%), while more than half cite negative impacts on treatment and quality of care: longer wait for medical appointments (62%), less coverage of expensive cancer medications or treatments (60%), less coverage of cancer detection and diagnostic tests (54%) and lower quality of care in general (56%).

"The need for healthcare reform is especially critical to cancer care," said Ted Okon, executive director of COA. "However, the proposals currently under consideration by Congress and the Administration to reform the healthcare payment system do not take into account the special circumstances and requirements of cancer care. What is needed is a substantive program developed with the involvement of oncologists to enhance the delivery of quality cancer care."

COA Offers Aggressive Solutions

Recently, H.R. 2872, the "Medicare Quality Cancer Care Demonstration Act of 2009," was introduced into the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Artur Davis (D-AL), Steve Israel (D-NY) and Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH). H.R. 2872 is a bill that will authorize Congress to direct the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement the Quality Cancer Care Demonstration (QCCD) project. The QCCD, a landmark initiative to transform the payment system for cancer care, will focus on patients covered by Medicare (approximately 45% of cancer patients), involving the collection of data and implementation of a patient-centric program that enhances quality cancer care while controlling costs.

"The Quality Cancer Care Demonstration project offers a means of moving forward immediately, and an architecture for a solution to the current crisis in cancer care," said Dr. Cobb.

Earlier this year, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) introduced into the U.S. Senate S. 1221, "The Medicare Prompt Pay Correction Act," as the companion to the H.R. 1392. Both seek to address problems with Medicare reimbursement for cancer drugs and help alleviate a national problem affecting the delivery of cancer care treatment to patients, almost all of whom are treated in community oncology clinics close to their homes.

About Community Oncology Alliance (COA)

COA is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to community oncology. COA was founded by community oncology to advocate for patients and providers in the community oncology setting, where 84 percent of Americans with cancer are treated. In only six years of existence, COA has mobilized community oncology to become more politically active, and increased awareness on Capitol Hill about the community cancer care delivery system. Additionally, COA has brought together community oncology practices from across the country to share information in order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the cancer care they provide to their patients.

Currently, COA is working with the Congress in providing proactive solutions designed to protect the viability of the nation's cancer care delivery system and patients' access to quality, affordable cancer care.

The cancer death rate in the U.S. has declined due to earlier detection, the quality of treatment, and the accessibility of cancer care. However, according to the American Cancer Society, men still have an approximately one in two lifetime risk of developing cancer, with a risk of one in three for women. For more information, please visit www.communityoncology.org.

Full results of the survey will be available at the news conference. If you wish to receive it electronically after 11 a.m., please contact 202-955-4500 or email us at alowe@chasepr.com .