Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Main Content Skip to Footer
search play2 play3 facebook twitter linkedin2 cross instagram
ASCP
  • DASHBOARD
  • STORE
  • LOGOUT
  • STORE
  • LOGIN
Menu
  • Membership
    • Membership Overview
      • Become a Member
      • Member Testimonials
    • Member Resources
      • My Dashboard
      • Manage My Education
      • Renew My Membership
      • Member Center
      • Find a Mentorship
      • Councils & Committees
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Awards & Recognition
      • Member Rewards
      • Lab Week
      • ASCP News
      • ASCP Local Chapters
      • Cell Bowl
    • My Role
      • Pathologist
      • Laboratory Professional
      • Pathology Resident
      • Residency Program Director
      • Lab Sciences Program Director
      • Laboratory Science Student
      • Medical Student
    • Career Resources
      • Find a Job
      • Post a Job
      • Find a Pathology Fellowship
      • Post a Fellowship
      • Learn About Careers
      • Scholarships & Grants
  • Learning
    • Learning Overview
    • Certificate Programs
      • Lab Management University
      • University of Path Informatics
      • Leadership Institute
    • Live Events
      • ASCP Annual Meeting
      • Virtual Pathology Grand Rounds
      • KnowledgeLab
      • Pathology Update
    • Resources
      • Access My Education
      • Manage CMP
      • Manage CC
    • ASCPedia
    • Online Education
      • Online CE Packages
      • LabQ
      • Case Reports
      • Resident Question Bank (RQB)
      • MLS Online Review Course
      • Webcasts
      • Patient Safety
      • Featured Education
    • Quality Improvement & Quality Assurance
      • Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
      • National Pathology Quality Registry (NPQR)
      • CheckPath
      • GYN Assessment
      • Non-GYN Assessment
      • GYN Proficiency Testing
    • Books & Journals
      • Books
      • American Journal of Clinical Pathology (AJCP)
      • Lab Medicine
      • Critical Values
    • ACCME ACCREDITATION
  • Advocacy & Outreach
    • Institute For Science Technology, and Public Policy
      • ASCP Policy Efforts
      • Choosing Wisely
      • Guidelines & Resources
      • Workforce Initiatives
      • ePolicy News
    • Center For Global Health
      • Overview
      • Communicable Diseases (HIV)
      • Non-Communicable Diseases (Cancer)
      • Volunteer with CGH
    • ASCP Foundation
      • Make a Donation
      • Providing Scholarships, Grants, & Fellowships
      • Improving Global Health
      • Increasing Lab Visibility
      • ASCP General Fund
      • Ways to Donate
    • Get Involved
      • Discover Opportunities to Get Involved
      • Foster Diversity & Inclusion
      • ASCP Councils & Committees
      • Career Ambassadors
      • Pathology Ambassadors
      • Discover Mentorships
      • Apply to Volunteer
    • Laboratory Excellence
      • Leading Laboratories
      • National Pathology Quality Registry (NPQR)
      • Awards & Recognition
      • Lab Week
    • Patient Champions
  • About ASCP
    • About ASCP
      • ASCP Mission
      • Supporting Our Members
      • ASCP Foundation
      • Community Efforts
      • Work at ASCP
    • Contact Us
  • Board of Certification
    • BOC home
    • About The BOC
      • About the BOC
        • BOC Structure
          • BOC Mission
          • BOC Partners
          • Contact BOC
          • Appeals
        • News and Reports
          • Transition of MT/MLS and MP/MB
          • Newsletters
          • BOC Awards
          • Lab Hero Interviews
          • Statistics / Practice Analyses
      • What We Do
        • Our Services
          • Certs & Quals
          • CMP
          • Verify Credentials
      • Governance
        • Committees
          • Exam Committee
          • Board of Governors
        • International Governance
          • Advisory Boards
          • Collaborating Societies
      • Volunteer
        • Volunteer Opportunities
          • Exam Committees
          • International Volunteer Opportunities
          • ASCP
    • Get Credentialed
      • Certification Exam Process
        • Get Ready to Apply
          • General Information
          • Determine Category & Route
          • Compare US & International Certification
        • Gather Documentation
          • US Certification
          • International Certication
          • US Military
        • Before Exam
          • Schedule a Date
          • Study Materials
        • Exam Day
          • The Test Center
          • The Examination
        • After Exam
          • Pass The Exam
          • Fail The Exam
      • U.S. Certifications
        • Highest Volume
          • Histotechnician, HT(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCP)
          • Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCP)
        • Technician
          • Histotechnician, HT(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Assistant, MLA(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCP)
          • Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCP)
          • Donor Phlebotomy Technician, DPT(ASCP)
        • Technologist/Scientists
          • Technologist in Blood Banking, BB(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Chemistry, C(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Cytogenetics, CG(ASCP)
          • Cytologist, CT(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Hematology, H(ASCP)
          • Histotechnologist, HTL(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Microbiology, M(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP)
        • Specialist
          • Specialist in Blood Banking, SBB(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Chemistry, SC(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Cytology, SCT(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Cytometry, SCYM(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Hematology, SH(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Microbiology, SM(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Molecular Biology, SMB(ASCP)
        • Additional
          • Diplomate in Laboratory Management, DLM(ASCP)
          • Pathologists’ Assistant, PA(ASCP)
          • Diplomate in Medical Laboratory Immunology, DMLI(ASCP)
      • International Certifications
        • Highest Volume
          • International Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCPi)
          • International Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCPi)
        • Technician
          • International Histotechnician, HT(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCPi)
          • International Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCPi)
        • Technologist/Scientists
          • International Technologist in Blood Banking, BB(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Chemistry, C(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Cytogenetics, CG(ASCPi)
          • Científico de Laboratorio Médico Internacional, CLM(ASCPi)
          • International Cytologist, CT(ASCPi)
          • International Gynecologic Cytologist, CTgyn(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Hematology, H(ASCPi)
          • International Histotechnologist, HTL(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Microbiology, M(ASCPi)
        • Specialist
          • International Specialist in Blood Banking, SBB(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Chemistry, SC(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Cytology, SCT(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Cytometry, SCYM(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Hematology, SH(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Microbiology, SM(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Molecular Biology, SMB(ASCPi)
      • Qualifications
        • Get Ready to Apply
          • General Information
          • Determine Category and Exam Route
          • Gather Document
        • Examination
          • Take the Exam
          • Pass the Exam
          • Fail the Exam
        • Qualifications
          • Qualification in Biorepository Science, QBRS
          • Qualification in Donor Phlebotomy, QDP
          • Qualification in Apheresis, QIA
          • Qualification in Immunohistochemistry, QIHC
          • Qualification in Laboratory Safety, QLS
      • State Licensure
        • California State Licensure
          • California State Licensure Only
          • ASCP Certification & CA Licensure
          • Already ASCP Certified
        • New York State Licensure
          • New York State Licensure Only
          • ASCP Certification & NY Licensure
          • Already ASCP Certified
        • Additional Licensure States
          • Florida
          • Hawaii
          • Louisiana
          • Montana
          • Nevada
          • North Dakota
          • Tennesee
          • West Virginia
          • Puerto Rico
    • Stay Credentialed
      • Information About CMP
        • CMP Overview
          • CMP Process
          • Synchronize Multiple Credentials
        • Credential Status
          • Mandatory
          • Voluntary
          • Expired
          • Inactive
        • How to Manage Points
          • How to Earn Points
          • How to Record Points
          • Suggested CE Providers
          • When to Submit a Declaration
          • COVID Related CE Form
      • U.S. Certifications
        • Highest Volume
          • Histotechnician, HT(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCP)
          • Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCP)
        • Technician
          • Histotechnician, HT(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Assistant, MLA(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCP)
          • Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCP)
          • Apheresis Technician, AT(ASCP)
          • Donor Phlebotomy Technician, DPT(ASCP)
        • Technologist/Scientists
          • Technologist in Blood Banking, BB(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Chemistry, C(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Cytogenetics, CG(ASCP)
          • Cytologist, CT(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Hematology, H(ASCP)
          • Histotechnologist, HTL(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Microbiology, M(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP)
        • Specialist
          • Specialist in Blood Banking, SBB(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Chemistry, SC(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Cytology, SCT(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Cytometry, SCYM(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Hematology, SH(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Microbiology, SM(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Molecular Biology, SMB(ASCP)
          • Hemapheresis Practioner, HP(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Laboratory Safety, SLS(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Virology, SV(ASCP)
        • Additional
          • Diplomate in Laboratory Management, DLM(ASCP)
          • Pathologists’ Assistant, PA(ASCP)
      • International Certifications
        • Highest Volume
          • International Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCPi)
          • International Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCPi)
        • Technician
          • International Histotechnician, HT(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCPi)
          • International Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCPi)
        • Technologist/Scientists
          • International Technologist in Blood Banking, BB(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Chemistry, C(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Cytogenetics, CG(ASCPi)
          • Científico de Laboratorio Médico Internacional, CLM(ASCPi)
          • International Cytologist, CT(ASCPi)
          • International Gynecologic Cytologist, CTgyn(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Hematology, H(ASCPi)
          • International Histotechnologist, HTL(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Microbiology, M(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCPi)
        • Specialist
          • International Specialist in Blood Banking, SBB(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Chemistry, SC(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Cytology, SCT(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Cytometry, SCYM(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Hematology, SH(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Microbiology, SM(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Molecular Biology, SMB(ASCPi)
      • Qualifications
        • Qualifications
          • Qualification in Biorepository Science, QBRS
          • Qualification in Donor Phlebotomy, QDP
          • Qualification in Apheresis, QIA
          • Qualification in Immunohistochemistry, QIHC
          • Qualification in Lab Informatics, QLI
          • Qualification in Laboratory Safety, QLS
    • Verify Credentials
      • General Information
        • Topics
          • Citation of Credentials
          • Fraudulent Use of Credentials
          • Replacement Wall Certificates
      • How to Verify
        • Options for Verifying Credentials
          • Getting Started
          • For Certification/Qualification
          • For State Licensure
          • For Visa Screen
          • Place an Order
    • Program Directors
      • Program Director Resources
        • Resources
          • BOC Resources
          • Accreditation Agencies
      • Manage Your Students
        • Tools & Reports
          • Tools for Students
          • EEV
          • PPR
      • Certification Information
        • Exams Offered
          • Certification Exams
          • HT/HTL
          • Military Certifications
          • Phlebotomy Programs
  • News
  • News
  • News Archive
  • Groups
  • Jobs
  • ASCP
  • News Archive
  • News Detail

ASCP Members Help Block the VALID Act as Lab Community Secures Key Legislative Wins

Publication Date: Jan 5, 2023
Congress provides wins on VALID Act, PREVENT Pandemics Act, Medicare Payment
Thousands of letters from ASCP members to members of Congress helped make a big difference as a well-organized laboratory community blocked Congress from enacting the flawed VALID Act. That victory was just one of several wins ASCP members scored as Congress wrapped up the end of its legislative session. The massive Omnibus spending bill signed into law by President Joe Biden on December 29 also provided key advocacy wins on such issues as payment, workforce, and pandemic preparedness. 

The VALID Act
When Congress wrapped up negotiations on the Omnibus Bill in mid-December, it clarified that the VALID Act, or the Verifying Accurate Leading-Edge IVCT Development Act, would not become law—at least not in the immediate future. The VALID Act would have changed the way the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates laboratory tests, giving the agency expansive authority over laboratory developed tests and exposing many LDTs to burdensome premarket review requirements. This legislation would have impeded the ability of many clinical laboratories, particularly those at academic medical centers, to develop and use LDTs to advance quality patient care.

In an effort to block enactment of the VALID Act, ASCP partnered with other laboratory stakeholders, including the American Association of Bioanalysts/National Independent Laboratory Association, American Association for Clinical Chemistry, American Society for Microbiology, Association for Molecular Pathology, Association of Pathology Chairs. During this time, ASCP wrote congressional leadership, urging them not to pass the VALID Act. In addition, ASCP members acting on ASCP Action Alerts sent more than 10,000 letters to members of Congress to educate them on the importance of LDTs to patient care and to urge them not to stymie patient access to these tests. ASCP would like to thank all the individuals, clinical laboratories, associations, hospitals, academic medical centers, etc., whose efforts made this win possible. 

While efforts to pass the legislation in 2023 are sure to continue, ASCP will continue our work to ensure that any future policy initiatives by Congress or the FDA does not pose unreasonable burdens on our patients or clinical laboratories.

PREVENT Pandemics Act 

Another 2022 legislative priority for ASCP concerned the PREVENT Pandemics Act, or The Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and Pandemics Act. The PREVENT Pandemics Act is a package of bipartisan proposals designed to strengthen the nation’s public health and medical preparedness and response infrastructure. ASCP wrote congressional leadership urging them to include the measure in the Omnibus spending bill.

This measure included the Tracking Pathogens Act, which will strengthen and expand the use of genomic sequencing and surveillance activities to identify dangerous pathogens. The measure also includes the BIO Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program, which will incentivize healthcare professionals to pursue careers in infectious disease and bio-preparedness in underserved communities and health professional shortage areas via a targeted loan forgiveness program. ASCP is pleased to report that Congress followed ASCP’s recommendations to enable laboratory professionals working in public health settings to qualify for this loan forgiveness program. (ASCP will provide more details on this program in the next issue of ePolicy). 
 
Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule 
ASCP also helped attain another significant legislative accomplishment for the laboratory and pathology community by helping to get Congress to block a series of significant cuts to the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) had planned to cut payment for about 800 laboratory services by 10 percent. Instead, Congress extended a 2022 moratorium on laboratory payment cuts by CMS through 2023. Congress also has extended the current prohibition on CMS requiring clinical laboratories to report payment rate and test volume data. 

To achieve this victory, ASCP worked closely with the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) and other laboratory and pathology organizations in urging congressional leaders to address laboratory payment issues. ASCP plans to work this year with its laboratory association partners to get Congress to address the CLFS’s inadequate payment rates. 
 
Physician Fee Schedule 
Lastly, ASCP also worked closely with the American Medical Association to get Congress to address a projected 4.5 percent cut in the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). ASCP urged Congress to extend several temporary payment updates that Congress had provided though the end of 2022.  The loss of these updates prompted CMS to cut the PFS decrease by 4.5 percent, on average, for all physicians in 2023. Under the provisions just signed into law, Congress has reversed more than half of these cuts such that base physician payment rates will decrease only 2 percent in 2023. As a result, ASCP anticipates that overall reimbursement rates, which differs by medical specialty, will increase for pathologists and independent laboratories approximately 1 percent and 2 percent in 2023.

 To learn more about ePolicy News and access past newsletters and articles, click here.

For more information regarding ASCP's advocacy initiatives and policy positions, please contact ASCP's Center for Public Policy at (202) 408-1110.
 sponsors_hologic
ASCP ePolicy News is supported by an unrestricted grant from Hologic.
 

 
Footer
  • Membership
    • Membership Overview
    • Member Resources
    • My Role
    • Career Resources
  • Learning
    • Online Education
    • Certificate Programs
    • Quality Improvement & Quality Assurance
    • Live Events
    • Books & Journals
    • Resources
    • ASCPedia
    • ACCME Accreditation
    • Featured Education
  • Advocacy & Outreach
    • Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy
    • Center for Global Health
    • ASCP Foundation
    • Patient Champions
    • Get Involved
  • About ASCP
    • Contact Us
    • Chat with Us
  • Board Of Certification
    • Get Credentialed
    • Stay Credentialed
    • Verify Credentials
    • Program Directors
    • About the BOC
  • News
    • ePolicy News
Chicago (Headquarters)
33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603

Privacy Policy 

Terms of Use

Follow Us

Copyright ©2021  by American Society for Clinical Pathology. All Rights Reserved.

Live Chat

First Name*
Last Name*
Email*
Customer ID