WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value-Based Program Act, bipartisan legislation that would modernize Medicare reimbursement for radiation therapy, safeguarding access to high-quality cancer care and improving outcomes.

“The ROCR Act modernizes Medicare’s payment system to ensure cancer patients receive the best care possible,” said Senator Tillis. “Current reimbursement policies reward quantity over quality, making it harder for physicians to provide the tailored, high-quality care cancer patients deserve. This bipartisan bill fixes this by shifting to a fair, bundled payment model that removes incentives for longer treatments, supports innovation, and ensures continued access to world-class care.” 

“Radiation oncology is a highly effective tool for fighting certain cancers, but outdated Medicare reimbursement policies prevent many Americans from being able to utilize this treatment,” said Senator Peters. “I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan bill that would reduce barriers to this essential care for cancer patients and ensure oncologists can prescribe the best treatment available for their patients.”

“In place of repeated Medicare payment cuts and outdated policies, ROCR offers a stable, sustainable payment framework that ensures Americans can access high quality, lifesaving cancer treatments in their communities,” said Dr. Howard M. Sandler, Chair of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Board of Directors. “ASTRO applauds Sen. Tillis, Sen. Peters, Rep. Fitzpatrick, Rep. Panetta, Rep. Joyce and Rep. Tonko for their bipartisan leadership in prioritizing patient needs and quality for our nation’s cancer care infrastructure.”

More than 80 organizations have endorsed the ROCR Act, representing a diverse group of radiation oncology stakeholders, patient advocates, medical professionals, independent clinics, hospital systems, and technology companies. This includes Advocate Health, American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO), American College of Radiology, American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Boston Scientific, University of North Carolina, US Oncology Network, and more. 

Background: 

ROCR is designed to reverse more than a decade of declining Medicare payments for radiation therapy, a lifesaving treatment relied upon by over a million cancer patients annually. Despite its critical role in patient care and cost-effectiveness for the Medicare system, radiation oncology has suffered more than a 20% cut in Medicare Physician Fee Schedule reimbursements over the past decade—one of the largest reductions of any medical specialty. These cuts threaten patient access to essential cancer treatments, particularly in community and rural settings.

By building on the framework of the indefinitely delayed Medicare-proposed Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model, ROCR retains the advantages of episode-based payments while fixing major flaws, including excessive payment cuts and burdensome quality reporting. By ensuring fair and sustainable reimbursement, ROCR safeguards patient access to high-quality, evidence-based radiation therapy, helping to close treatment gaps and strengthen the nation’s cancer care system. 

The ROCR Act:

• Implements a patient-centric, episode-based payment system that aligns financial incentives with clinical care guidelines.
• Promotes the use of evidence-based, shorter treatment course when clinically appropriate, reducing physical and financial strain on patients. 
• Enhances quality and safety standards by incentivizing practice accreditation and timely adoption of new technologies for improved care.
• Provides targeted assistance to address transportation barriers that prevent patients in rural and underserved areas from accessing or completing treatment. 
• Standardizes technical payments across hospital-based and free-standing practice settings.

Full text of the bill is available HERE. 

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