Provider Perspective

Christian G. Downs, JD, MHA, is Executive Director of the Association of Community Cancer Centers. Mr. Downs brings more than 15 years of association management expertise, guiding associations in their work on national policy and educational programming. He has been instrumental in working with healthcare providers, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and Congress on association–specific issues.

Mr. Downs led the Association of Community Cancer Centers' efforts on such critical issues as easing implementation of new regulations, ensuring patient access to new cancer therapies, and refining physician office payments for delivery of services.

Mr. Downs worked in the public policy department of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) on physician office and billing and coding issues. Previously he administered a large tertiary care hospital, managed a physician multispecialty practice, and worked for the Education and Health Committee of the Virginia State Senate.

Mr. Downs received his master's degree in health administration from the Medical College of Virginia and his law degree from George Mason University with a special focus on regulatory and administrative law. He is a board member of the Patient Advocate Foundation and C–Change, a large coordinating organization for cancer groups.