Policy Action Task Group

Task Group Charge:

To decrease lung cancer deaths and increase survivorship by identifying policy pathways (Congress, federal and state agencies, state legislative, regulatory bodies, employer groups etc.) and address solutions and strategies with stakeholder groups in advocating for, improving, and ensuring access to high quality and affordable lung cancer screening and treatment including the full continuum of care; screening implementation, early detection, education, diagnosis, treatment, management, palliative and hospice care

Leadership

Image for Ruth Carlos, MD, MS
Ruth Carlos, MD, MS

Task Group Chair Professor

Department of Radiology University of Michigan
Image for Katie McMahon, MPH
Katie McMahon, MPH

Task Group Vice-Chair Principal

Policy Development American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Task Group Members

Lori Ashby, MA
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Nicki Augustyn, CAE
American College of Chest Physicians

Paul Billings
American Lung Association

Alicia Blakey, MS
American College of Radiology

Leigh Boehmer, PharmD, BCOP
Association of Community Cancer Centers

Andrea Borondy Kitts, MS, MPH
Lahey Hospital and Medical Center

Aaron Cann, MD, PhD
WellStar Health System (GA)

Mythreyi Chatfield, PhD
American College of Radiology

Scarlett Lin Gomez, PhD, MPH
Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

Hannah Green
American Lung Association

Jane Kim, MD, MPH*
Department of Veterans Affairs

Anita Kinney, PhD, RN, FAAN, FABMR
Rutgers University

Brandon Leonard, MA
LUNGevity Foundation

Anita McGlothin
GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer

(*) indicates Steering Committee member

Timothy Merchant
RadNet

Stephen Metz
Siemens Healthineers

Mike Mizelle
Centers for Disease Control

Jim Mulshine, MD
Rush University

Mary Pasquinelli, DNP, FNP-BC, APRN
UIC College of Nursing

Bruce Pyenson, FSA, MAAA
Milliman

Lori Sakoda, PhD, MPH
Kaiser Permanente

Ya Chen Tina Shih, PhD
MD Anderson Cancer Center

John Studdard, MD
Jackson Pulmonary

Tina Tailor, MD
Duke University School of Medicine

Ashley Walton
American College of Radiology

Opportunities for Policy Modifications

  • Engage policy leaders to ensure the safe, responsible and equitable implementation of lung cancer screening and treatment opportunities along the treatment course and to bring proper health messages to those at risk
  • Create collaborations and relationships with professional and advocacy societies and outreach to public and private payers to affect change at the policy level
  • Reduce barriers to access and ensure high quality affordable preventive, screening and treatment services remain available to those at risk
  • Ensure public health strategies are provided with sufficient funding to support the adoption and application of lung cancer preventive, screening, and treatment services
  • Build greater awareness about the importance of screening in the continuum of care among policy leaders
  • Accelerate federal research and early detection funding for lung cancer prevention and control
  • Promote coverage, education, and quality of deliver