support the statement
I am currently a member of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS). ONS prides themselves on being a voice within the political health care arena and encourages its members to be well informed and to take action. According to the Oncology Nursing Society Legislative and Regulatory Health Policy Agenda (2019), ONS is taking a stand in supporting H.R. 1409 Cancer Drug Parity Act. This bill addresses the disparity seen among insurance payouts for oral verse other forms of anti-cancer delivery systems (“Cancer Drug Parity Act,” 2017). To become engaged in this issue ONS has partnered with Secretary of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar (“Policy Priorities,” 2019). Through “letters of support” ONS partners with other organizations to openly engage in policy change (“Policy Priorities,” 2019). To become even more active with policy change ONS provides the option of joining the Capital Gang, a group of ONS members who participate in capitol hill lobbying days, personally meet with congress members, attend federal agency meetings, and represent ONS at press conferences (“Join the ONS Capital Gand,” 2019). The website provides a link to email the managing member of the Capital Gang.
As an outpatient oncology nurse, I have witnessed firsthand the disparity among oral chemotherapeutic agents verse traditional anti-cancer drugs. The financial burden put on the oncology patient population is visible and will only grow as more oral options become available. ONS believes strongly that policy needs to be put in place to protect individuals from higher than average cost of oral treatment options (“Policy Priorities,” 2019). Supporting ONS as an organization, supports the lobbying and work put in to see these types of policies become law. It is not always an option to personally be available to make change happen, but through organizations like ONS your support can make a difference.
Best Regards,
Erin Thomson
References
Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2017, H.R. 1409, 115th Cong. (2017).
Oncology Nursing Society Legislative and Regulatory Health Policy Agenda 116th Congress, 1st Session. (2019). Retrieved April 7, 2019, from https://www.ons.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/ONSHPAgenda 116th Congress_BOD approved.pdf
Join the ONS Capitol Gang. (2019). Retrieved from Join the ONS Capitol Gang
Policy Priorities. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.ons.org/make-difference/ons-center-advocacy-and-health-policy/policy-priorities
