“The public should be aware of some of the critical issues directly related to the delivery of cancer care in this country,” said Selma R. Schimmel, host of The Group Room and founder and president of Vital Options® TeleSupport® Cancer Network, the Los Angeles-based not-for-profit national cancer communications, support and advocacy organization that produces the program in association with Premiere Radio Networks.

“We want to inform our listeners about the current status of federal reimbursement for certain kinds of cancer treatment. It’s vitally important that people understand that what’s happening in Washington now can have a tremendous adverse effect on the quality of cancer care. Through this show and others we’d like to help the public get involved in the advocacy process to ensure they’ll be able to benefit from the advancements being made in cancer research and treatment,” she added.

“New federal regulations may signal the end of drug availability for cancer patients,” said Lee E. Mortenson, DPA, executive director of the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), who will join Schimmel via phone.

Mortenson’s organization represents more than 600 medical centers, hospitals, oncology practices and cancer programs in the United States. He will address the Health Care Financing Administration’s (HCFA) reimbursement cuts for numerous oncology drugs and how this will threaten the viability of oncology office practices and hospitals.

Other issues scheduled for discussion include Medicare reimbursement for life-saving self-injectable drugs and follow up to President Clinton’s recent executive memorandum directing Medicare to pay for routine patient-care costs associated with clinical trials.

Other call-in guests include Carolyn R. Aldige, president and founder of the Cancer Research Foundation of America and Nancy Davenport-Ennis, founding executive director and CEO of the National Patient Advocate Foundation, who will join Schimmel, Mortenson and The Group Room’s radiation oncologist Dr. Leslie Botnick and therapist Halina Irving. In addition, Dr. Avrum Bluming will be in the studio, filling in for Dr. Michael Van Scoy-Mosher, The Group Room’s medical oncologist. The Group Room also invited HCFA to join the discussion, but no representatives were available for this week’s program.

The Group Room airs live on Sundays from 1-3 p.m. PT (4-6 p.m. ET) in select cities throughout the United States, including Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Memphis and Tampa. The show—the world’s largest cancer support group—reaches more than 300,000 listeners a week and is also simulcast worldwide via the Internet (www.vitaloptions.org).

All phone calls to The Group Room are screened by a licensed oncology social worker. Callers can enter discussions by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666).

During the week, individuals can reach Vital Options at 818-508-5657 for support or to receive more information about cancer resources or stations carrying the broadcast.

The Group Room is supported through unrestricted educational grants from founding sponsor Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and corporate sponsors Ortho Biotech Inc., Pharmacia Oncology and Genentech BioOncology Inc.