ASCP Action Alerts are sent out to ASCP's membership to provide up-to-date legislative and regulatory information on the most current pathology and laboratory medicine issues in state and federal government. These alerts allow ASCP members and colleagues to become educated about the issues at hand and take action by contacting their local or federal officials with a few clicks of a mouse.
Stop Pod Labs Again
Pod Labs are Back, Threatening to Undermine Quality Patient Care
Tell CMS and Congress:
Pod Labs Undermine Quality Patient Care
April, 2010—Pod labs are back, albeit in a slightly different form. Take a few minutes to help stop pathology services from being exploited.
Needed Action
ASCP is urging all pathologists and laboratory professionals to write their members of Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to demand CMS take action against abusive billing practices. Not only do these practices adversely affect patients; they also negatively affect the field of pathology and the entire laboratory team.
Read more and take action today . . .
Nevada Jobs Threatened by UNLV Action
Potential Closure of Lab Training Program Puts Lab Jobs, Patients in Jeopardy
ASCP urges Nevada members of the laboratory team to help
Take a few minutes to help halt the potential closure of the Nevada's only Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program. Send a message that the program at University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) is critical to training laboratory professionals for the state and the nation.
Train the Laboratory Professionals; Fill the Job Vacancies
February, 2010—ASCP is asking you to urge Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign as well as your respective representative to intervene to halt a proposed plan to close UNLV's CLS program. The school's CLS program is a four year program offering its graduates a broader scope of practice with direct impact on patient care. Closure of any CLS program is a mistake of monumental proportion; closure of one that is a vital component to Nevada hospitals as well as other facilities is tragic.
Read more and take action today . . .
TROUNCE PRICE TAGS ON LAB TESTS
Tell the Senate:Lab Tests Don't Belong in Health Care Reform
Don't Impose Co-Pays on Laboratory Tests
August, 2009—ASCP urges all members of the laboratory team to help! Take a few minutes to alert your Senators not to include co-pays on laboratory tests as they consider health care reform legislation. Let them know that such a move does not create a cost savings but rather financial shift that places undue pressure on Medicare beneficiaries and ultimately, laboratories. more...
Department of Labor (DOL) Announces Health Care Sector Grants
Laboratory Professional Training Programs Urged to Apply
July 23, 2009—On July 23, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced the availability of approximately $125 million in new grant funds authorized for projects that provide training and placement services to help workers pursue careers within the health care sector. Eligible applicants include public entities and private nonprofit organizations. The grants are intended to fund projects that provide workers with training that will prepare them to enter and advance in the health care sector. more...
CDC Seeks Unpublished Data to Advance Laboratory Profession
ASCP Urges Membership to Help Advance Our Field
The Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a systematic review process for evaluating evidence about pre- and post-analytical practices and generating recommendations concerning best practices in laboratory medicine. They now need our help to provide them with evidence to be considered by the process. Read more and register with the CDC today . . .
Senate Approves ASCP-Supported Medicare Bill; ASCP Members Urged to Contact White House
July 9, 2008—On July 9th, the Senate approved an ASCP-supported Medicare fix, reversing the pending 10.6 percent cut in the physician fee schedule, repealing the clinical laboratory competitive bidding demonstration project, lifting the freeze on the clinical laboratory fee schedule, and extending the technical component grandfather provisions. more...
Vote Expected Soon on House Medicare Bill!
June 26, 2008—In the next few days, the Senate is expected to vote on the House-passed Medicare bill, HR 6331. more...
Global Health Crisis Looms
May 21, 2008—The world needs your help! Funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR/Emergency Plan) is in need of reauthorization. Legislation has passed the House of Representatives (H.R. 5501) and is pending in the Senate. more...
Vote Expected Soon on Direct Billing Legislation!
May 12, 2008—ASCP and your colleagues need your help to pass direct billing legislation for anatomic pathology services. The Missouri House of Representatives is expected to vote soon on SB 817. more...
Help Pass Direct Billing Legislation!
April 21, 2008—ASCP, along with the Missouri Society of Pathologists and the College of American Pathologists, is concerned about the adverse effects markups can have on the state’s health care system. more...
Judge’s Ruling Stalls CMS Action on Competitive Bidding
April 9, 2008—Southern California District Judge Thomas Whelan yesterday granted a preliminary injunction requested by four San Diego laboratories to halt the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from proceeding with a proposed demonstration project to test the viability of competitive bidding for laboratory services performed under Medicare. more...
Help Needed for Georgia Patients
February 11, 2008—ASCP needs your help! Please join ASCP, the Georgia Association of Pathologists, and the College of American Pathologists by urging your state representatives to support HB 342, which calls for direct billing of anatomical pathology services. more...