Contact Congress about S. 1031: ROCR Value Based Program Act

Medicare would pay one set amount for many radiation treatment courses instead of paying service by service. The bill also adds help for rides to treatment and sets quality rules for providers.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

ROCR Value Based Program Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Latest action on S. 1031: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects traditional Medicare Part B patients who need radiation therapy for listed cancers. It also affects radiation doctors, treatment centers, and suppliers because it changes how Medicare pays them. Patients who struggle to get to appointments could see more ride help if providers use the new payment and safe harbor. Medicare Advantage and PACE patients are not included unless Congress or Medicare expands the program later.

Why this matters: Radiation treatment often takes many visits, and this bill would change the money behind that care. A single course-based payment could push providers to plan care more efficiently. It could also create pressure if the payment does not fit a patient’s needs. The ride provisions could help patients who miss or delay care because they cannot get to appointments. The bill also affects Medicare budgeting because savings from this program could not be used to adjust other major Medicare payment rates.

Key provisions in S. 1031

• Most radiation providers would have to use a new Medicare payment program for listed cancers. It applies to most radiation therapy services for traditional Medicare Part B patients.
• Medicare would pay by treatment course, not by each separate service. The payment covers professional and facility-related radiation services for 30 or 90 days, with Medicare paying 80% and patients owing 20%.
• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must keep current radiation payment rates until ROCR rules are in place. It must issue those rules within one year and let the public comment first.
• Medicare would set national base payment rates using 2021 Medicare data. It would update them each year for inflation and review or reset them at least every five years, with limits on cuts.
• New radiation technologies would stay outside the bundled rates for at least 12 years. Medicare would keep paying for them separately under current systems before it could add them to the episode payment.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 1031

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 1031

What is S. 1031?

Medicare would pay one set amount for many radiation treatment courses instead of paying service by service. The bill also adds help for rides to treatment and sets quality rules for providers.

How do I support or oppose S. 1031?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 1031?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain S. 1031 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.