News Releases

04/13/2009 US Oncology Encourages Your Right to Decide April 16, National Healthcare Decisions Day, your choice in times of despair     Houston, TX (April 13, 2009) – US Oncology, Inc.(www.usoncology.com), supporting the nation’s foremost cancer treatment and research network working with providers, payers and manufacturers to advance cancer care in America, is encouraging all Americans to get involved in National Healthcare Decisions Day (www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org).   April 16 is designated as the day every single American should take time to make his or her thoughts and wishes known about personal healthcare in light of an unexpected, catastrophic event. It is also about having these same conversations with parents and grandparents to ensure understanding of what they want their care to look like later in life. No one wants to have to guess at another’s decision for healthcare.     “Advance care planning is the best gift you can give to your family,” says Dr. Russell Hoverman, physician with Texas Oncology (www.texasoncology.com), an affiliated practice of US Oncology. “With advance directives like a living will or a healthcare power of attorney, no one has to make the tough decisions; they simply have to act on your personal wishes and not wonder if they made the right choice.”   Many Americans have wills to direct property and assets after death. Yet few have living wills or healthcare powers of attorney, and few have ever talked to their loved ones about the kind of medical treatments they want and do not want in cases when they are not able to direct their own care. Each state has its own forms for advance directives, but most are readily available on the internet or from healthcare providers.   “Emotionally, the burden of not having a living will can be even greater on your loved ones than not having a will after death,” says Hoverman. “Don’t leave it up to your family to have to make these tough decisions for you.”   For more information on advance care planning, or living wills, visit the patient section at www.usoncology.com     About US Oncology US Oncology, Inc., headquartered in the Houston area, works closely with physicians, payers, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturers, to identify and deliver innovative services that enhance patient access to advanced cancer care. US Oncology supports one of the nation’s foremost cancer treatment and research networks, accelerating the availability and use of evidence-based medicine and shared best practices.   US Oncology uses its expertise to support every aspect of the cancer care delivery system—from drug development to distribution and outcomes measurement—enabling the company to help increase the efficiency and safety of cancer care. According to the company’s last quarterly earnings report, US Oncology is affiliated with 1,211 physicians operating in 456 locations, including 94 radiation oncology facilities in 39 states. For more information, visit the company’s Web site, www.usoncology.com.   Media contact: Jennifer Horspool (281) 863-6739 Jennifer.Horspool@usoncology.com   # # # Enter the News Body here