Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • June 1, 2020 • Hartford Business Journal 9 A growing sector Using proton radiation to treat cancer dates back to the 1950s, but the technology has seen much more rapid growth this century. There are 35 proton therapy cen- ters operating in the U.S., accord- ing to the National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT), and nearly all of them were erected in the last 16 years. At least four more centers were slated for 2020 or 2021 open- ings. Wallingford and Danbury, if approved, could open in 2022 and 2023, respectively. NAPT Executive Director Jennifer Maggiore said proton therapy has been growing in popularity because medi- cal providers increasingly see the benefit of the technol- ogy, particu- larly for young patients. "Radiation oncologists want the best for their patients and when they realize this is the technology that is really a standard of care now for pediatrics, that's really important," Maggiore said. Research showing proton therapy's benefits also continues to trickle out. For example, a recently released study by Stanford University medical researchers found that patients who received proton therapy had lower incidences of new, distinct cancers later on, when compared to other types of radiation treatments. A study published last year found proton therapy patients had lower risk of being unexpectedly hospitalized due to severe adverse health events (such as difficulty breathing) within 90 days after treatment. "What you're starting to see, that I think will make a difference with the insurance companies, is the research in the last two to three years that supports the use of proton therapy and advanced technologies," Mag- giore said. "I'm hoping that's where insurance companies will understand the justification for the use of this." Maggiore said it's unfortunate that patients have felt the need to sue their insurers, but it's understandable. "Patients are frustrated when they don't really have the access to care being recommended by their doctor," she said. Drew Crandall, a spokesman for the Danbury proton therapy proj- ect, concurs with Maggiore that the treatment's growth is being driven by its merits, rather than negative headlines about lawsuits. "What supersedes the legal aspects is the bonafide value of proton therapy," Crandall said. "Recognition is growing and I think that will win the day." Skepticism remains However, some have pushed back against the public pres- sure to compel insurers to cover proton therapy. Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania and most recently an advisor to Gov. Ned Lamont on the coro- navirus, wrote last year that not enough high-quality clinical trials have been completed proving the merits of proton therapy. HHC and Yale declined comment for this story, citing their pending application with state regulators, who will decide whether there is a public need for proton therapy in Connecticut, and whether the proposed projects are financially feasible and will lead to improved care quality and access. Cigna and Anthem did not pro- vide comment for this story. Other commercial insurers said scientific evidence and safety guide FOCUS: HEALTH CARE Make the dark clouds of fiduciary responsibility less formidable. hhconsultants.com/fiduciary Stephanie A. Casey, Partner, Colson Hicks Eidson Jennifer Maggiore, Executive Director, National Association for Proton Therapy Continued on page 10 >> A rendering of the proposed proton therapy facility in Danbury, which could end up being the second such facility in Connecticut, joining a Yale-Hartford HealthCare project in Wallingford. RENDERING | CONTRIBUTED THE BUSINESS NEWS YOU NEED DELIVERED EACH BUSINESS DAY FROM YOUR TRUSTED, LOCAL SOURCE VISIT HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/ENEWSLETTERS TO SIGN UP MORNING BLEND POWERED BY HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL & NEW HAVEN BIZ HARTFORD BUSINESS.COM TODAY HARTFORD BUSINESS.COM TODAY Every day by 7:45 A.M., our editors pull the top news sources in the state and nation to provide you with the must-know information you need to start your business day. Every business day, our award- winning reporting and news staff canvases the market for breaking news and sends it to your inbox by noontime.

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