[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING ONCOLOGY NURSES AND THE ONCOLOGY NURSING SOCIETY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2002

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues the important and essential role that oncology nurses 
play in the provision of quality cancer care. These nurses are 
principally involved in the administration and monitoring of 
chemotherapy and the associated side-effects patients may experience. 
As anyone ever treated for cancer will tell you, oncology nurses are 
intelligent, well-trained, highly skilled, kind-hearted angels who 
provide quality clinical, psychosocial, and supportive care to patients 
and their families. In short, they are integral to our Nation's cancer 
care delivery system.
  The setting for cancer treatment has changed over the last 10 years. 
Today, more than four out of five cancer encounters occur in community 
settings, where the majority of cancer care is provided by oncology 
nurses. However, Medicare does not adequately reimburse the 
administration of chemotherapy by oncology nurses, which are referred 
to as practice expenses. Last September, the General Accounting Office 
released a study indicating that Medicare's drug reimbursement system, 
based upon the Average Wholesale Price (AWP), is severely flawed and 
drug payments are inflated. While I strongly support the efforts to 
reform the AWP system and ensure that Medicare does not overpay for any 
supplies, I also believe that Medicare should not underpay for any 
benefits or services.
  Today, more than two-thirds of cancer cases strike people over the 
age of 65 and the number of cancer cases diagnosed among senior 
citizens is projected to double by 2030. At the same time, many of the 
community-based cancer centers are facing significant barriers in 
hiring the specialized oncology nurses they need to treat cancer 
patients. It is estimated that there will be 115,000 nursing positions 
open in the year 2015.
  The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is the largest organization of 
oncology health professionals in the world with more than 30,000 
registered nurses and other health care professionals. Since 1975, the 
Oncology Nursing Society has been dedicated to excellence in patient 
care, teaching, research, administration and education in the field of 
oncology. Of the 13 ONS chapters in the State of Texas, one is located 
in the Houston area. These chapters serve the oncology nurses in the 
state and help them to continue to provide high quality cancer care to 
those patients and their families in the State.
  In particular, I would like to acknowledge nine special oncology 
nurses from my district who will be in Washington this week to 
participate in the ONS Annual Congress and the ONS inaugural Hill Day--
Glenda Alexander, Laura Espinosa, Visitacion Junpratepchai, Sherry 
Preston, and Ellen Siegel from Houston, Vickie Dockery from Alief, 
Cynthia Segal and Paula Rieger from Bellaire, and Susan Stary from 
Pasadena. I am looking forward to meeting with these outstanding women 
who have dedicated their lives to improving the health and well being 
of people affected by cancer. On behalf of all the people with cancer 
and their families in Texas' 25th Congressional District, I thank these 
nurses as well as all of their colleagues in the Oncology Nursing 
Society for their outstanding contributions to the provision of quality 
cancer care to those in need.
  I would like to also acknowledge Paula Rieger for her leadership 
within the Oncology Nursing Society. For the past 2 years, Paula has 
served as the ONS President of the Board of Directors and has been an 
outstanding leader and spokesperson for the organization. I have had 
the pleasure of working with ONS and Ms. Rieger over the past few years 
to advance programs and policies that work to reduce suffering from 
cancer. Her leadership and vision for ONS have resulted in the 
organization being more aggressive and effective in its health policy 
efforts. In addition, through her commitment to outreach and 
collaboration, ONS has expanded and strengthened its partnerships with 
other health professional, patient, and advocacy organizations. This 
week Ms. Rieger is stepping down from the ONS Board of Directors. I 
thank her for her commitment to ONS, for advancing oncology nursing, 
and for caring for the people of the greater Houston area.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the Oncology Nursing Society for 
all of its efforts and leadership over the last 27 years and thank the 
Society and its members for their ongoing commitment to improving and 
assuring access to quality cancer care for all cancer patients and 
their families. I urge all of my colleagues to support them in their 
important endeavors.

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