ONS Releases Position on Access to Quality Cancer Care

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Access to quality cancer care is the right of all people. A new position released by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) affirms that affordable and accessible comprehensive healthcare coverage with respect to cancer prevention, early detection, risk assessment, and other factors should be available to everyone regardless of personal or family history or preexisting conditions.  

The Access to Quality Cancer Care position also states that the full range of services provided by advanced practice nurses is accessible and eligible for reimbursement and that everyone has the opportunity to participate in clinical trials for cancer prevention and comprehensive cancer care. The position affirms the critical role of oncology nursing in the planning and implementation of cancer care services. The full position was published in the July 2012 issue of the Oncology Nursing Forum.

“This new position was developed as a result of the Board’s review of all ONS positions in July 2011,” said ONS director-at-large Margaret Barton-Burke, PhD, RN. “It is a timely position statement in light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Affordable Care Act. This new position supports the mission of ONS, is current and significant, and speaks to the unique perspective ONS provides on this issue.”

A work group comprised of ONS Board and staff members continues to work to revise and combine some of the current positions to ensure that all ONS positions are relevant in today’s  cancer care environment. A full description of ONS’s overhaul of its position statement program can be found on the ONS website.  

-XXX-