ePolicy News—December 2025

December 09, 2025

In this issue: 

  • ASCP Calls on Anthem to Reverse Controversial Out-of-Network Policy 

  • STOP LAB CUTS  

  • AMA Pathology Section Council Honors Ed Donoghue 

  • ASCP Raises Concern about USCIS H-1B Visa Proposal 

  • Data-Driven Strategies to Build, Sustain, and Advance the Laboratory Workforce 

  • Medical Student Engagement Special Session Debuts at AM 2025    

  • Urge Congress to Oppose the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act 

 

ASCP Calls on Anthem to Reverse Controversial Out-of-Network Policy 

ASCP is urging Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to withdraw a new policy that reduces payments to hospitals using out-of-network physicians. Beginning January 1, 2026, the policy would impose a 10 percent reimbursement cut and could even lead to hospitals being removed from Anthem’s network. ASCP argues the policy sidesteps the No Surprises Act and threatens patient access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas. Read more.  

STOP LAB CUTS  

ASCP is urging members and colleagues to support the RESULTS Act (S. 2761 / H.R. 5269), which aims to reform Medicare’s laboratory payment system and prevent further reimbursement cuts. The RESULTS Act would use insurer claims data to establish fairer payment rates, suspend upcoming cuts, and help stabilize laboratory funding. ASCP encourages members to contact Congress and their organizations’ government relations teams to advocate for this critical legislation. Read more.   

AMA Pathology Section Council Honors Ed Donoghue 

ASCP’s AMA Delegates took part in the AMA House of Delegates Interim Meeting, where the Pathology Section Council honored Dr. Ed Donoghue for his long tenure as Vice-Chair and his 25 years of service as an ASCP AMA delegate. Dr. Donoghue’s distinguished career includes leadership roles in forensic pathology, positions with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and multiple professional organizations. Read more.  

ASCP Raises Concern about USCIS H-1B Visa Proposal 

ASCP urged USCIS not to move forward with a proposed salary-weighted H-1B visa selection system, warning it would disadvantage early-career pathologists and laboratory professionals. Prioritizing higher salaries would worsen existing workforce shortages and undermine Congress’s intent for the H-1B program to support high-skill fields facing labor gaps. ASCP emphasized that the proposal could ultimately harm patient care by limiting the ability of qualified professionals to work in the United States. Read more.  

Data-Driven Strategies to Build, Sustain, and Advance the Laboratory Workforce 

A new report from ASCP reveals that Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce Coalition members have made substantial progress on workforce development recommendations from the 2021 "Blueprint for Action," particularly in supporting education programs, clinical training, and increasing career visibility. Moving forward, the Coalition will prioritize federal advocacy, financial support for laboratory education, standardized job nomenclature, and investments in retention and workforce diversity to ensure long-term sustainability of the laboratory medicine profession. Read more.   

Medical Student Engagement Special Session Debuts at ASCP 2025    

ASCP's 2025 Annual Meeting featured a new session called "Pathologists and Patients: A Career Exploration for Medical Students," led by Dr. Vihar Patel. The two-day session combined real-world patient perspectives from four Patient Champions with pathologist-led case studies that demonstrated the diagnostic process and interdisciplinary collaboration. This initiative reflects ASCP's commitment to strengthening the pathology workforce by increasing recognition of patient participation in diagnosis and treatment while deepening understanding of pathology's impact on patient care. Read more.  

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.  

 

 

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