We are happy to share an update on the proposed changes to Medicare’s 6 Protected Classes. Last Thursday the Trump Administration decided not to move forward with proposed changes to the Medicare Part D Program (the outpatient prescription drug benefit in the Medicare program) that would have restricted access to cancer therapies.

As a result, the 6 Protected Classes (which include many oral chemotherapy drugs as well as therapies to manage other complex health conditions such as epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, and organ transplants) will continue to be protected, and Medicare Part D plans will be required to continue to cover all or substantially all therapies available in the 6 Protected Classes.

This is a win for cancer patients and the patient advocacy community. LUNGevity will continue to work with policymakers and other stakeholders to ensure that all people diagnosed with lung cancer have access to personalized, precision medicine and that care decisions are made between an individual, his or her provider, and the individual's support network.

If you are interested in learning more about LUNGevity’s public policy initiatives, please contact Kristen Santiago, Senior Director of Public Policy Initiatives, at ksantiago@LUNGevity.org, or check out the LUNGevity policy page at www.LUNGevity.org/public-policy to read our letters and see other ways we are advocating for patients.