ASCP Endorses the Tracking Pathogens Act

ASCP has endorsed the Tracking Pathogens Act, introduced by Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on January 30. In a letter to the bill’s authors, ASCP and others wrote that “the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant underscores the need for sustained investments to bolster sequencing capacity to identify, track, and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 strains.” 

ASCP is pleased that this bi-partisan legislation builds on work initiated under the American Rescue Plan such as: 

• Supporting and enhancing existing genomic sequencing and surveillance activities;
• Supporting continued partnerships between public health entities and the broader academic research and clinical laboratory ecosystem; and
• Codifying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Centers of Excellence in Genomic Sequencing and Molecular Epidemiology. 

The bill also authorizes Congressional appropriators to provide increased funding for the Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) program at the CDC. 

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