[PHI Redacted] I can say with confidence, that proton treatment of prostate cancer was effective [PHI Redacted] since 2001-other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common of cancers. In my view, until another treatment is proven superior (with less potential side affects)let''s keep proton therapy available as an alternative to surgery & other forms of radiation and prostate cancer treatment.

As a 44 year veteran working in the insurance industry, I have seen far too many patients/clients who resisted (delayed) surgery or developed complications from surgery or photon radiation & thought they were cured, but the cancer returned and metastasised. In my personal conversations with medical professionals, it''s been very difficult to find professionals (including MD''s) who are unbiased about the cancer treatment process they''ve been trained in - proton thrapy was the perfect alternative for me, as well as for many of my friends who were treated for prostate cancer at Loma Linda.

It would seem that as the availability of proton treatment centers increase around the country, and the # of cancer patients being treated increase, the costs should also decrease over time.

Rationing health care & eliminating coverage for proton treatment of prostate cancer is NOT the answer. Not now!

Please, let''s not "throw the baby out with the bath water". Until a treatment evolves that proves to be better, keep proton treatment reimbursement available to the nearly one qtr million men who are diagnosed with PC annually. Rationing health care in this area - makes no sence to me. The cost of alternative treatments to proton therapy for prostate cancer could prove more costly in the long run-when one considers the higher degree of failure of other forms of treatment.