THIS is what innovation looks like.

A new report by Tufts University Center for the Study of Drug Development shows that the number of FDA approvals for cancer drugs has surged in recent decades. Since 2010, over 1 in 4 (27%) of all drug approvals the FDA has issued were for new oncology treatments. During the 1980s, cancer drugs represented just 4% of FDA’s approvals.

The swell in cancer drug approvals is reflective of the tremendous investment, momentum and collaboration pumping through biomedical research labs and clinical trials. This is innovation that is saving lives, preserving quality of life and driving optimism for those affected by a cancer diagnosis. But, this innovation isn’t realized unless patients have access to the new, breakthrough therapies that FDA approves.

Disturbingly, a proposal that Medicare is considering would create barriers between patients and the specialized medications they need for complex chronic diseases like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia and other rare diseases. This proposal would interfere with patient care by putting a middleman, with no clinical or medical experience, in the Medicare Part B drug supply chain. This will disrupt personalized treatment plans that physicians carefully develop for each patient, restrict real-time decision making by doctors and cap the potential of the innovation bursting from FDA. Contact Congress to tell them to stand with patients, providers and innovation.