COA Patient Advocacy Network News Bulletin - Quarter 1 2026

A Note from the Director of Patient Advocacy & Education

Community oncology delivered major policy wins just three months into 2026. Congress took important steps to curb pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) abuses, which needlessly drive costs and limit access to lifesaving cancer treatments. Thanks to a decade-plus of advocacy from patients, caregivers, and practice professionals, much-needed federal PBM reform will get people with cancer the treatment they need when they need it.

Our work doesn’t stop there. CPAN advocates are working with Congress and state legislatures to protect patients and support the independent community oncology practices that care for them.

The energy and momentum are palpable, as advocates experienced during CPAN events in Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington earlier this year. New chapters are launching, advocates are learning more about hot topics like PBMs and hospital consolidation, and patients and practice professionals are honing advocacy skills. COA’s work is made possible by our advocates, who are the beating heart of community oncology. Every practice I have visited reinforced that notion.

Be sure to attend our events and use our resources to stay updated on the latest policy developments and make your voice heard. For those attending the Community Oncology Conference April 28-29 in Orlando, I look forward to continuing our work together in person at our Advocacy Track sessions. (For those not yet registered, there’s still time to sign up!)

Northwest Medical Specialties (Washington) CPAN Chapter Relaunch

Northwest Medical Specialties (NWMS) has re-launched its CPAN chapter to advocate for patients with cancer in Washington state. Offering innovations, including clinical trials for emerging therapies, NWMS rededicated itself to ensuring the Pacific Northwest cancer community can access the latest care advancements close to home.

Upcoming Advocacy Opportunities

April 28-29: 2026 Community Oncology Conference – Orlando, Fla.
May 13: Q2 CPAN Advocacy Chat – Virtual
June 10: In-Person Event: Patient Hill Day – Washington, D.C.*

*Invite-only event

Contact Tracey Banks ([email protected]), Executive Assistant, Rose Gerber, MS ([email protected]), Director of Patient Advocacy and Education, or your local CPAN Chapter Advocacy Leader, to learn how to get involved.

Advocacy & Innovation: 2026 Community Oncology Conference

Independent community oncology practices are at the heart of cancer care discovery and delivery. From clinical trials to cutting-edge treatments, our collective advocacy ensures these innovative breakthroughs reach patients.

Join us at the 2026 Community Oncology Conference, April 28-29, in Orlando, Fla., to help shape the future of community oncology. Attendees will practice advocating in real-world scenarios and participate in knowledge-building workshops designed to illuminate policy issues and advance federal and state advocacy.

Health Policy 101: Pharmacy Benefit Manager Federal Reform Explainer

COA is dedicated to putting patients first. That’s why we are working with Congress to advance legislation that stops PBMs from delaying, denying, and disrupting cancer treatment.

Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 earlier this year, a bipartisan funding package that included the first meaningful federal PBM reform in years. This legislation marks a historic shift in reining in industry middlemen.

What the win means for community oncology patients and practices:
- Patients don’t foot the bill for PBMs that profit off higher-priced medications
- PBMs can no longer hide business and pricing strategies from patients
- Local and community-based pharmacies can offer more treatments

While this is an important starting point, more work remains to protect patient access and affordability. Read COA’s full statement to learn more.

Recap February CPAN Advocacy Chats

Improving the U.S. cancer care system relies on advocates, health care professionals, and policymakers working together to do what’s best for patients. “There’s a role for hospitals, insurers, and PBMs. We all have to come to the table and fix this, because our health care system is in crisis,” said COA Managing Director Nick Ferreyros during the February CPAN Advocacy Chat.

Nick and COA Executive Director Ted Okon joined Rose to look into health policy’s “crystal ball” and offer insights on issues that promise to influence cancer care.

Stream recent Advocacy Chats on @OncologyCOA's YouTube channel.

Cancer News You Can Use

Championing Community Cancer Care (Podcast - 28 mins) - Oncology Times, 03/03
Rose shares her journey from receiving a breast cancer diagnosis to advocating for others on a recent episode of the OncTimes Talk podcast. Listen as Rose discusses how her experience ignited her commitment to patient advocacy, the essential role of community oncology practices in treating patients close to home, and why she advocates to protect innovative cancer care.

Colon Cancer Is Now The Deadliest Cancer For Young Adults - CNN, 02/11
Colorectal cancer has surpassed other cancers to become the leading cause of cancer deaths among people under 50 in the United States, according to research published in the medical journal JAMA. The research is an important reminder for people under 50 to stay up to date on their cancer screenings, experts say. It’s recommended for people at average risk of colorectal cancer to start regular screening at age 45.

A New Milestone In The Cancer Fight: Seven In 10 Patients Now Survive Five-plus Years - NBC News, 01/13
The United States has reached a watershed moment in cancer treatment: Seven in 10 people now survive five years or more after diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society. Thanks to improved treatment options over the last decade, many cancers have gone from death sentences to chronic diseases, according to the report’s authors.

Resources for Chapters

Whether learning about policy changes, hearing stories from other advocates, or revisiting past CPAN events, COA’s YouTube channel (@OncologyCOA) offers quick, engaging videos to keep advocates informed.

Top picks:

• Relive the excitement of Hill Day 2025
• Hear how the Community Oncology Conference motivates Della Smith to be a better advocate
• Learn how 340B discounts fuel higher drug prices