Building Bridges 2026: Strengthening the Laboratory Community through Communication 

ASCP’s Building Bridges series returns in 2026 with a robust lineup of virtual sessions focused on advocacy, leadership, and professional visibility. Designed to equip laboratory professionals with practical communication tools, the program addresses challenges ranging from misinformation to engaging policymakers and health system leaders. Read more.  

Exciting Opportunity for Medical Students: AMA Foundation Leadership Development Institute Applications Now Open 

Medical students have a new opportunity to build leadership skills through the AMA Foundation’s yearlong Leadership Development Institute. The program offers mentorship, national networking, and in person experiences at major AMA meetings. The application deadline is March 27, 2026. Read more.  

ICYMI: Amplifying Others’ Voices to Improve Patient Care: A Q&A with Katerina Kearns, MD 

In June 2025, the American Medical Association confirmed Katerina Kearns, MD, as the Resident and Fellow Section Alternate Delegate to its House of Delegates. In this role, Dr. Kearns represents trainees in national policy discussions, to elevate the voice of the medical laboratory in broader medical conversations. Read more. 

• ASCP is excited to share this opportunity for medical students to apply to the AMA Foundation’s Leadership Development Institute, a yearlong program featuring virtual sessions, in-person meetings at AMA events, networking, and physician mentorship.  

• The application deadline is Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11:59 pm CT. 

ASCP is pleased to share an opportunity from the AMA Foundation aimed at medical students. Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Leadership Development Institute (LDI), a yearlong program designed to support growth and professional development for future physician leaders. The application deadline is Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11:59 pm CT.  

Program Highlights 

• Monthly virtual leadership sessions 

• In-person meet-up at the 2026 AMA Interim Meeting 

• A capstone weekend at the 2027 AMA Annual Meeting 

• Individual mentorship from a physician leader 

• Networking opportunities with leaders across organized medicine 

Eligibility 

• Students enrolled in any year of an accredited U.S. MD or DO program 

• Students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients 

• AMA membership is not required or considered 

Students can learn more and begin an application at https://amafoundation.org/ldi  

Questions may be directed to Program Manager Allison Wesel at Allison.Wesel@ama-assn.org.  

ASCP encourages members to share this opportunity with medical students who may benefit from leadership development and engagement in organized medicine.  

• ASCP is pleased to announce the continuation of its successful Building Bridges program for 2026 

• The series seeks to build a more resilient workforce capable of navigating the complexities of the modern healthcare environment 

• To register for the Building Bridges 2026 series, click here.  

ASCP has announced the 2026 edition of its virtual series, Building Bridges Across the Laboratory Community, an initiative designed to advance professional development and advocacy within the medical laboratory community. This program provides laboratory professionals with the communication frameworks necessary to amplify their visibility and demonstrate the value of the laboratory to external stakeholders. By focusing on practical strategies, the series aims to cultivate a more resilient workforce capable of navigating the complexities of the modern healthcare environment while ensuring the laboratory remains an influential pillar of patient care.  

The 2026 series include seven 90-minute webinars, each offering 1.5 CMLE credits and featuring expert-led discussions on critical industry challenges. The sessions, which run from March through September, address a broad spectrum of topics including the mitigation of public misinformation, the articulation of professional identity, and direct engagement with C-suite executives and legislative bodies on Capitol Hill. Additional modules focus on inter-organizational collaboration, patient empowerment, and strategies for bridging generational gaps within the workforce. Through this comprehensive educational outreach, ASCP remains committed to supporting laboratory leaders with the tools required to advocate for their profession and improve healthcare outcomes on a global scale. To register for the Building Bridges 2026 series, click here.   

For more information on our workforce resources, please visit the ASCP workforce webpage.  

• Ten members of the MPHLWC, including ASCP and the ASCP BOC, joined together to support a congressional initiative focused on strengthening the healthcare workforce. 

• The congressional effort sought to secure an exemption for healthcare professionals from the newly imposed $100,000 fee on H1B visas. 

ASCP, the ASCP Board of Certification, and several members of the Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce Coalition (MPHLWC) have joined a bipartisan congressional initiative seeking to exempt healthcare professionals from the recently imposed $100,000 fee on new H1B visas. The fee, added as part of broader immigration-related policy changes, applies to temporary work visas and has raised significant concerns across the healthcare sector. 

The effort is led by Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY), who are urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to carve out an exemption for healthcare workers whose roles are essential to maintaining patient care and addressing ongoing workforce shortages. As part of this initiative, MPHLWC members mobilized to help build broad support for a congressional letter to then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, on February 11, 2026, see here. 

More than 40 healthcare organizations, including 10 MPHLWC members, endorsed the initiative, and the letter ultimately received signatures from 100 members of Congress, underscoring the widespread bipartisan recognition of the critical need to protect and strengthen the nation’s healthcare workforce. See Rep. Lawler and Clarke’s February 12, 2026, press release here. 

• HHS has postponed the last 3 USPSTF meetings 

• ASCP is waiting on the final outcome of USPSTF’s update to its cervical cancer screening guidelines 

A third scheduled meeting of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been postponed as of March 3, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).   

In the past, the Task Force traditionally met three times a year, but the meetings in July and November last year were both cancelled. The USPSTF’s recommendations play a major role in determining access to preventive services such as breast and cervical cancer screenings, because under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans must cover services with grade A or B recommendations at no cost to patients.  

ASCP is waiting for the outcome of the review of cervical cancer screening guidelines (including new self- or patient-collected options) and will be keeping a close eye on the rescheduling of these important Task Force meetings.  

ASCP acknowledges that that the CLIA statute does state that screening must take place in the laboratory—thus preventing cytologists from performing screening of digital cytology images remotely—but it does not require interpretations to be performed within the laboratory. As part of the meeting, ASCP leaders outlined this point and clarified the differences between preliminary screening, rescreening, and interpretation. In response, the Agency urged ASCP to submit a formal request asking the Agency to revisit its position on the CLIA statute. ASCP submitted that letter to the Agency on February 19, 2026, outlining the reasons we believe the CLIA statute does not require pathologists to provide interpretations within a laboratory setting and asking the Agency to revise its memo accordingly.  

It is unclear when CMS may rule on ASCP’s request; however, we anticipate a response could take several months at least. In the meantime, CMS’s new policy on remote review will be going into effect on March 23, 2026, meaning the remote review of digital cytology images will not be allowed under the Memo after that date (individuals may, however, seek a separate CLIA certificate to review digital images at a remote location).  

For further details in the interim, please review CMS’s revised memo (See here). 

Medicare Laboratory Payment Cuts Averted for 2026 

Legislation signed on February 3 to end the partial federal government shutdown also blocks planned Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule cuts of up to 15 percent for roughly 800 lab services through the end of 2026. This delays—but does not eliminate—requirements for laboratories to report payment data to CMS between May 1 and July 31, unless Congress enacts the RESULTS Act beforehand. ASCP asks members and their colleagues to urge Congress to enact the RESULTS Act as soon as possible. Read more. 

California Laboratory Professionals Mobilizing to Fight Licensure Fee Increase  

California laboratory professionals, led by ASCP’s Northern California chapter and a coalition of laboratory organizations, are mobilizing to oppose steep state licensure fee increases set to take effect in 2026. The new law shortens licensure from two years to one year and raises annual initial and renewal fees to $300—representing increases of 260 percent and higher—prompting concerns that the costs are disproportionate compared to fees for other healthcare professions. ASCP and its partners plan to lobby the legislature to reduce the fees and restore biennial licensure. Read more. 

ASCP and Pfizer Launch Request for Proposals to Fund Quality Improvement Projects Advancing Biomarker Testing in mCRC  

ASCP, in collaboration with Pfizer and with participation from ASCO, announced a multi-year Request for Proposals opening January 26, 2026, to fund pathology-led Quality Improvement projects of up to $250,000 each focused on improving biomarker testing for frontline treatment selection in metastatic colorectal cancer. Through multidisciplinary collaboration and use of ASCP’s Performance and Diagnostic Insights platform, the program aims to enhance efficiency, timeliness, and dissemination of best practices to improve evidence-based mCRC care nationwide. Read more.   

Prior to the legislature’s new law, the initial licensure fee for a two-year license was $230 and $179 for license renewal. Under the new law, the legislature has cut the licensure period to one year, increasing the compliance burden on licensees and the State. In addition, it increased both the initial licensure and renewal fees to $300 annually. The new fees represent increases of 260 and 335 percent, respectively, for initial licensure and licensure renewal.  

When the legislature adopted the fee increase, it claimed that it was necessary to cover the costs of the licensure program to the State. But an analysis by ASCP reveals that licensure fees for most other non-physician level healthcare professionals are significantly lower. Licensure fees for most other health professions range from about $130-$165 on an annual basis. Registered Nurses, however, pay between $150-$179, biennially, while genetic counselors pay only $100, triennially. ASCP maintains that as the work involved for state licensure boards is relatively similar, licensing costs should be similar for most licensed professions. 

ASCP will be working with its members in California and other laboratory and pathology organizations to lobby the state legislature to lower these fees, and to restore the biennial licensure requirement.  

• Legislation recently signed into law ending the partial government shutdown also blocks cuts to the Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule for 2026 

• Under the new law, laboratories are required to report payment rate data to CMS between May 1 and July 31 

• If Congress enacts the RESULTS Act before the reporting requirement begins, the reporting requirement would be canceled for most laboratories 

• ASCP asks its membership to take action and visit the STOP LAB CUTS website to urge Congress to enact the RESULTS Act as soon as possible. 

On February 3, the President signed into law several bills ending the partial government shutdown that began on January 31. The measures provide funding for seven federal departments, including Health and Human Services (HHS). Also signed into law was a separate two-week funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security. 

Included in the bill funding HHS were provisions providing short term relief from a series of cuts imposed by the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). Approximately 800 laboratory services were slated to be cut by up to 15 percent, beginning January 31. These cuts are now blocked for the remainder of 2026. In addition, the measure pushes back, but does not stop, Congress’s plan for clinical laboratories to begin reporting payment rate data. The window for reporting will begin on May 1, with applicable laboratories expected to satisfy the reporting requirement by July 30. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) are reportedly working on education materials intended to inform clinical laboratories of their upcoming reporting obligation. 

While the reporting requirement will likely prove challenging for many laboratories, the recently passed legislation buys time to enact the RESULTS Act (The Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services Act [S. 2761 / H.R. 5269]), which would bring needed reform to PAMA. PAMA tasked CMS with revising Medicare payment rates for laboratory services. The new fee structure CMS developed created an entirely new set of payment rates for laboratory services, based on payment data submitted by clinical laboratories. The revamped fee schedule imposed severe cuts in payment to laboratories, totaling more than $4 billion in Medicare payments so far. In addition, insurers used CMS’s new rates to impose additional cuts in laboratory reimbursement. The result has caused significant economic hardship for laboratories and laboratory staff. For more on PAMA and the reporting requirement, see here. 

The RESULTS Act would change PAMA’s requirements by using paid claims from a comprehensive commercial payor database, eliminating the need for most laboratories to report data for most tests (labs with tests identified in PAMA as Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory Tests would still need to report data). It would also provide CMS with more robust, reliable data for setting more sustainable payment rates. The RESULTS Act would also block further payment cuts until new rates can be set.  

At this time, ASCP is urging its entire membership to urge Congress to enact the RESULTS Act as soon as possible. To facilitate this, ASCP members and their colleagues are asked to utilize the STOP LAB CUTS website to send Congress this important message. Click here to TAKE ACTION.  

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), in collaboration with Pfizer and with participation from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) to support multiple Quality Improvement (QI) grant projects  funded up to $250,000 per project, focused on improving biomarker testing to support frontline treatment selection in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The RFP will open January 26, 2026. ASCP will administer and manage the program. 

This multi-year initiative aims to address persistent gaps in molecular testing, communication, and care coordination that impact frontline treatment decisions for patients with mCRC. Funded projects will focus on optimizing testing practices for key biomarkers—including RAS (KRAS/NRAS) mutations, BRAF mutations, HER2 amplification, and microsatellite instability (MSI)/mismatch repair (MMR) status, in accordance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) guidelines. 

The QI grant projects will be structured as pathology-centric, multidisciplinary health system implementation efforts, primarily targeting community-based healthcare institutions. Through collaboration among pathologists, laboratory professionals, oncologists, and other members of the cancer care team, the program seeks to improve coordination across disciplines and enhance delivery of evidence-based care. ASCO will support alignment with current oncology practice considerations and facilitate broader dissemination of insights across the oncology community. 

“By investing in pathology-led quality improvement, we are strengthening the entire cancer care team,” said Ali Brown, Interim CEO of ASCP. “This RFP supports healthcare institutions in building the skills, workflows, and partnerships needed to deliver high-quality biomarker testing, enabling oncologists to make informed treatment decisions and improving care for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.” 

Projects supported through the RFP will leverage ASCP’s Performance and Diagnostic Insights (PDI) platform for real-time data aggregation and analytics to support performance measurement and evidence-based decision-making. Participating institutions will evaluate current practices, identify variation in biomarker test ordering and reporting workflows, and implement targeted improvements to enhance efficiency and timeliness. 

Key objectives of the program include: 

• Understanding current biomarker testing practices and identifying variation in test ordering protocols 

• Evaluating turnaround times, reporting workflows, and operational efficiency 

• Addressing communication gaps to ensure timely dissemination of biomarker results to the care team 

• Establishing pathways for accelerated molecular diagnostics to support optimal frontline treatment 

• Improving patient safety by ensuring appropriate, guideline-concordant testing and therapy selection 

• Strengthening care team capacity by equipping pathology and laboratory professionals with tools and skills to enhance communication and care coordination 

In addition to driving improvement within participating institutions, lessons learned and best practices from the funded QI projects will be shared widely to promote scalable, sustainable improvements in mCRC care. 

Organizations interested in submitting proposals are encouraged to review the full RFP for eligibility criteria, application requirements, and timelines. More information about the RFP and application process can be found here, or contact grants@ascp.org.   

ICYMI: ASCP’s Pathology Clinic Certificate Program Empowers Patients and Pathologists 

ASCP’s new certificate program now offers a step-by-step roadmap for any institution to build patient-facing clinics that deepen understanding, strengthen communication, and transform the role of pathologists. With powerful patient stories, practical guidance, and a vision for more meaningful provider–patient connections, this emerging model is reshaping how pathology supports patient-centric care. Read more. 

ICYMI: Urge Congress to Oppose the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act  

ASCP is urging pathologists and laboratory professionals to contact federal legislators to oppose PERA, which would overturn Supreme Court precedent from the AMP v. Myriad Genetics case that prohibited patents on naturally occurring DNA segments. The legislation would allow patents on all biomarkers, including DNA and their health associations, potentially undermining patient care, monopolizing medical innovations, and stifling competition. Read more.  

• ASCP Recommends its Physician Members Join the AMA 

ASCP, a proud partner of the American Medical Association (AMA), is encouraging its physician members to join the AMA as well. ASCP has a storied history of working in concert with the AMA on issues facing patient care and physician practices. Indeed, ASCP long time member Ed Donoghue, MD, MASCP, was recently honored by the AMA’s Pathology Section Council for his tenure as Vice Chair and his 25 years of service as an ASCP AMA delegate. 

As part of our encouragement to join AMA, ASCP notes that the AMA has just opened registration for its 2026 National Advocacy Conference, which will be held Feb. 23-25 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. The event will bring hundreds of physician advocates together for the purpose of enhancing organized medicine’s advocacy voice on critical healthcare issues affecting physicians and patients. You can view highlights from last year’s meeting and see the preliminary agenda for this year’s meeting, here and here, respectively. If you do join AMA, please note your ASCP membership in your AMA application. 

• Updated cervical cancer screening guidelines emphasize self-collection and increased access 

• ASCP advocates for shared decision-making and choice in cervical cancer screening methods 

The U.S. Health Research and Services Administration (HRSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, released updated cervical cancer screening guidelines in early January 2026. These updates, developed through the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative, aim to increase screening rates and decrease barriers to access to care. Key updates in HRSA’s screening guidelines include the introduction of self-collection for HPV testing for women at average risk, hrHPV being identified as the “preferred” method (as opposed to U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines listing three equivalent screening options [hrHPV only, cytology only, or co-testing]), and importantly, a requirement that most private health insurance plans cover these updated services—including self-collection and necessary follow-up tests—without patient cost-sharing starting  January 1, 2027. Additionally, the guidelines now explicitly include coverage for additional follow-up diagnostic testing (e.g., colposcopy, biopsy, or extended genotyping) required to complete the screening process following an initial abnormal result. For more detailed information, you can view the full HRSA Women's Preventive Services Guidelines or the Federal Register Notice.  

ASCP has long advocated for patient-centric cervical cancer screening guidelines that emphasize shared decision-making and promote broad access. Please see the following link for recent ASCP advocacy efforts in this area.