Tracy Bahl Outlines How Community Oncology Practices Can Excel Amid Inhibitory Policy Changes

Greater impact from programs like 340B and site-neutrality, as well as, an emphasis on the economies of scale and economies of intelligence, can assist community oncology practices in delivering high-quality care, said Tracy Bahl, MBA, president and chief executive officer of OneOncology.

Transcript

With more patients being treated in the community setting, how are partnerships like OneOncology of growing importance?

Partnerships, whether it’s with OneOncology or anyone who professes to do stuff like we do, are increasingly more important for the future of community oncology. The economies of scale and economies of intelligence necessary to treat patients in the community setting in the future is so very critical, and models like OneOncology deliver that. The economies of scale to drive greater cost efficiencies and improve the cost effectiveness and affordability of patients, as well as, the economies of intelligence which drive real information, real analytics, and real insights that help us advance the science and the care for cancer, are really critical going forward.

What are some recent policy changes that have impacted community practices, and how are practices maneuvering these changes?

There are policy and regulatory changes primarily at the local level that continue to stand in the way of great patient care from time to time, but maybe what’s even most important is the regulatory and policy changes that haven’t happened. There are real improvements necessary to bring balance and perspective to community oncology. Things like 340B [drug pricing program] and site-neutrality, which really haven’t had the kind of action they deserve, would begin to bring better affordability and greater effectiveness for community oncology in the marketplace today.