05/20/2025

ASTRO: Further Medicare Cuts Would Damage Cancer Care

Results from a survey released by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) indicate that further cuts to Medicare for radiation treatment would have a damaging impact on cancer care, increasing patient wait times and forcing clinics to cut staff or even close.

Almost 96% of the 675 U.S.-based radiation oncologists who responded to the online survey ASTRO conducted in April said that patient care would suffer from any further cuts to Medicare reimbursement for radiation therapy, and approximately 70% said that the effects would be significant.

In addition, 65% of respondents said further cuts would lead to downsizing of practices, including reducing staff (65% of respondents), and that further cuts would make it more difficult to hire and retain staff (86%). Another round of cuts would delay or deter upgrades and investments in treatment technologies, according to 87% of survey participants.

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