• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

US Oncology Applauds Senator Daschle's Appointment as Director of President-Elect Obama's New White House Office of Health Reform

Posted on: Friday, 12 December 2008, 14:12 CST

Daschle's Extensive Health Care Policy and Legislative Background Assures Strong Leadership for Office's Mission to Drive Widespread Health Care Reform

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- US Oncology, which supports one of the nation's largest cancer treatment and research networks representing approximately 1,200 oncologists nationwide, today praised President-elect Barack Obama's selection of former Senator Tom Daschle to lead his newly established White House Office of Health Reform, which will focus on advancing top health care policy reform initiatives, including those to expand coverage and temper rising health care costs.

"US Oncology applauds the appointment of Sen. Daschle to drive the development of practical policy solutions designed to address our nation's most pressing health care challenges, such as the provision of affordable and accessible health care for all," said Roy Beveridge, M.D., Chairman of the US Oncology Public Policy Steering Committee. "We look forward to collaborating with Sen. Daschle and his colleagues in the Obama administration to craft lasting solutions for these issues, notably, to ensure that all Americans living with cancer are able to secure unrestricted access to vital health care services."

Jeanne Lambrew, a former aide to President Bill Clinton, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and associate professor of public affairs at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, will serve as deputy director of the new office. Ms. Lambrew specializes in health policy research on the uninsured, Medicaid, Medicare and long term care.

"President-elect Obama's selection of Sen. Daschle and Ms. Lambrew to be the head architects of his health reform plan reflects his administration's commitment to prioritizing key health care advancements, including expanding access to care, promoting health information technology and focusing on preventive care, among others," said Dr. Beveridge. "Through linking US Oncology's extensive iKnowMed oncology-specific electronic medical records system to our clinical, evidence-based cancer care treatment pathways, we have demonstrated our commitment to utilizing health information technology and quality measures in order to bring the highest quality cancer care directly to the patient's community. We hope to work with Sen. Daschle and his colleagues to apply comparable strategies to achieve similar positive effects across the spectrum of health care delivery in 2009."

About US Oncology, Inc.

Headquartered in Houston, US Oncology works closely with physicians, manufacturers and payers to enhance patient access to advanced cancer care in the community setting. US Oncology supports the nation's foremost cancer treatment and research network in its efforts to accelerate the availability and use of scientific, evidence-based medicine.

According to the company's last quarterly earnings report, US Oncology is affiliated with more than 1,200 physicians operating in approximately 485 locations, including 92 cancer centers and radiation facilities in 39 states. For more information, visit the company's Web site, www.usoncology.com.

SOURCE US Oncology

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category