"The risk of not getting involved is that the most expert voices will not be heard. And then, the policies we have to live with won’t reflect what we know is best for our patients." 

Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, FASCO

ASCO Chief Executive Officer

(ASCO has transitioned its bill tracker to 2026, including all carry over bills. The tracker updates in real time and the link is available to both ASCO members and nonmembers. ASCO tags legislation relevant to cancer care—including prior authorization, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), step therapy, copay accumulators, fertility preservation, telemedicine, Medicaid expansion, and vaccines.

Thank You NNECOS Volunteers!

NNECOS leaders represented Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont during the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual Advocacy Summit from April 20-21. Representatives spoke with congressional staffers about the following priority issues:

• Support federally funded cancer research - support consistent funding for the NIH, NCI, and ARPA-H in FY2027. Strategic investment and predictable funding are critical to ensure the continuity and success of research, preventing both the loss of momentum and squandering prior investments.
  
  
• Reform prior authorization mandates - Help reform prior authorization and improve patient care by passing the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. This bipartisan House and Senate legislation would streamline prior authorization in Medicare Advantage, hold plans accountable for their prior authorization mandates, and improve transparency.
  
  
• Extend telehealth flexibilities - Permanently extend Medicare telehealth flexibilities and strengthen patient access to cancer care by passing the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act, bipartisan House and Senate legislation. For those facing a cancer diagnosis, telehealth is more than a convenience: it is necessary for maintaining uninterrupted access to high-quality care.

ASCO has launched a sign-on letter entitled: “An Open Letter from America’s Cancer Doctors and Providers.” Our goal is to gather at least 463 oncologist signatures—one signature for every day since the current crisis began—to demonstrate the widespread nature of the situation across the country and to show the community’s overwhelming support for immediate action.

In addition to the letter, there will be a video with testimonials from doctors sharing the impact of shortages on their patients, a targeted advertising campaign, and additional communications efforts.

VERMONT

VT H. 766 - a bill that would place limits on prior authorization, step therapy, and copay accumulator programs

Governor Scott signed an amended version of this bill into law on May 20, 2024. We are hopeful that, in the future, prior auth provisions can be expanded in Vermont beyond primary care. 

VT H233 - Vermont Becomes 21st State to Ban Co-Pay Accumulators

On May 30, Governor Phil Scott signed VT H. 233, a bill that requires co-pay assistance to count towards a patient’s deductible. NNECOS and Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) supported this measure and wrote a letter in support of this language when it was part of a different bill earlier in the session. Vermont is the 21st state to take action on co-pay accumulator programs.

 H. 766 will reduce prior authorizations, allow exemptions to step therapy, and simplify billing and other administrative burdens in health care. Please share stories about how reducing PAs can reduce healthcare costs by getting patients the right care earlier, reducing extra costs like referring patients to the ED and reducing staffing costs. 

Update: Senate - 4/23/2024 - P. 2700 - Action Calendar- Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare

Read the NNECOS/ASCO Joint Letter of Support

VT S. 98- concerned PDABs and UPLs could disproportionately impact oncology drugs and are particularly worried about a PDAB setting upper payment limits for physician-administered oncology drug

Read the NNECOS/ASCO Joint Comment Letter

NEW HAMPSHIRE

HB 513 - relative to affordability and safety of clinician administered drugs 

Hearing: September 12th - legislative tracker

Read the NNECOS/ASCO HB 513 Comment Letter

SB 354 - a bill that would prohibit health carriers in New Hampshire from utilizing co-pay accumulator programs and save patients with cancer on their out-of-pocket costs.

Read the NNECOS/ASCO SB 354 Support Letter

SB 458 - a bill that would allow for the dispensing of noncontrolled oral anti-cancer medication by a licensed healthcare professional legally authorized to prescribe and administer medications to a patient under a provider's care or supervision. 

Read the NNECOS/ASCO SB458 Support Letter

UPDATE: 2024-04-24 House Executive Session: 05/01/2024 10:00 am Legislative Office Building 210-211

MAINE

LD1577 - Expand Access to Biomarker Testing in Maine

Update 5/15/24 - Gov. Mills will not sign into law - read letter. 

5/10/24 - sent to Gov. Mills for signature - contact Gov. Mills - 

2024-04-11 - On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending PASSAGE TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

Update - the Legislature has adjourned without funding this Bill. Updates will be posted as available. 

Coalition Website: https://www.fightcancer.org/expand-access-biomarker-testing-maine

NH Senate committee recommends making Medicaid expansion permanent

NH SB263

Vermont Fertility Preservation 

NNECOS - ASCO Joint Letter of Support - H369

H369 - An act relating to health insurance and Medicaid coverage for fertility-related services

VT S63 - An act relating to health insurance and Medicaid coverage for fertility-related services

NNECOS - ASCO Joint Comment Letter - VT S63

LD 1577 Introduced - April 10, 2023