American Shared Hospital Services Says 15% Increase in Proton Therapy Payment Rate for 2012 Recently Approved by CMS Strengthens the Economic Case for Proton Centers Under Development by American Shared Hospital Services

American Shared Hospital Services

said today that the recent announcement by the Centers for Medicare & Medicade Services (

) of a 15% increase in the payment rate of proton therapy for hospital based centers beginning in 2012 strengthens the economic case for the proton centers now under development by the Company. "We are pleased that CMS recognizes the therapeutic value of proton therapy, now widely regarded as the optimal radiation treatment for an increasing variety of cancers. This payment increase will facilitate the development of much-needed proton therapy centers throughout the country," said AMS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ernest A. Bates, M.D.