ASCP’s AMA Delegates Represent Pathologists’ Interests at AMA Meeting … and Receive a Surprise

ASCP delegates exemplified leadership and the Society’s “Stronger Together” mantra while representing the pathologists’ perspective at the American Medical Association (AMA) 2024 Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates (HOD) in June. ASCP delegates Ed Donoghue Jr., MD, MASCP; Jennifer Stall, MD, FASCP; ASCP Past Presidents Steve Kroft, MD, MASCP, and William Finn, MD, MASCP; as well as Clifford H. Sullivan, MD, FASCP; and Nirali M. Patel, MD, FASCP, discussed issues pertinent to pathology with partner organizations and represented pathology on the floor of the House of Medicine. In recognition of the outstanding work of ASCP’s AMA delegation, ASCP President Robert Goulart, MD, MASCP, has awarded the delegation the 2024 ASCP President’s Award. (Read more below about the award.) 

Artificial Intelligence 

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the healthcare setting and the risks/benefits associated with the technology was among the timely topics discussed in the House of Delegates. During the Pathology Section Council meeting (and reflected in a recent Medscape article), Dr. Steve Kroft raised concerns about unintended consequences that could occur within the scientific research community through the use of unregulated AI, specifically from his perspective as Editor in Chief of the American Journal of Clinical Pathology (AJCP).

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the healthcare setting and the risks/benefits associated with the technology was among the timely topics discussed in the House of Delegates. During the Pathology Section Council meeting (and reflected in a recent Medscape article), Dr. Steve Kroft raised concerns about unintended consequences that could occur within the scientific research community through the use of unregulated AI, specifically from his perspective as Editor in Chief of the American Journal of Clinical Pathology (AJCP).

Dr. Kroft asked the AMA to address "a significant omission in an otherwise comprehensive [trustees’] report" — the need to protect the integrity of study results that can direct patient care. According to the Medscape article, Dr. Kroft noted, "While sham science is not a new issue, large language models make it far easier for authors to generate fake papers and far harder for editors, reviewers, and publishers to identify them. This is a rapidly growing phenomenon that is threatening the integrity of the literature. These papers become embedded in the evidence bases that drive clinical decision-making." It is significant for the AMA to address this important issue raised by Dr. Kroft.

Attendees also discussed changing the term from “artificial intelligence” to “augmented intelligence” to more accurately reflect AI’s role in assisting physicians and the entire healthcare team.

Medicare Physician Payment

Medicare physician payment continues to be a priority area for ASCP and the AMA. It was a key topic of discussion during the AMA meeting. Specifically, ASCP recently sent an Action Alert to all members asking them to urge Congress to fix problems with the Medicare Physician and Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedules. (Click here to participate in this campaign.)

Other key issues discussed include: 

• Prior authorization
• Cybersecurity
• Substance use disorder and mental health treatment
• Expanded healthcare coverage for Medicare and Medicaid patients

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Throughout the meeting, the AMA HOD adopted a number of policies that aligned with ASCP’s own DEI priorities. These include:

• Policies to protect patient access to healthcare;
• Policies aimed at improving the health care of minority communities in rural areas, including several related to tobacco and nicotine;
• Policies intended to improve health outcomes for American Indians and Alaska Natives; and
• Policies aimed at equity in clinical trials and research. Specifically, delegates adopted policy to ensure more women and sexual and gender minority populations are included in clinical trials and medical research.

2024 ASCP President’s Award

ASCP is pleased to announce that its ASCP AMA delegation has received the 2024 ASCP President’s Award for its work representing pathology and the laboratory community in the House of Medicine at the November 2023 AMA Interim meeting. ASCP delegates provided valuable testimony related to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Proposed Rule on Laboratory Developed Tests.

Their testimony highlighted the potential adverse effects of the FDA’s rule to clinical colleagues within the HOD. Their efforts led to an agreement from other professional medical societies and physicians, recognizing that the FDA rules could hinder the provision of necessary testing services, particularly in the absence of FDA-approved tests. Ultimately, the AMA HOD adopted an ASCP resolution calling for the AMA to urge the FDA to extend the comment period on its laboratory developed tests (LDT) proposed rule, for which they were commended.

The President’s Award is a highlight of the ASCP 2024 Annual Meeting and will be presented by ASCP President Robert Goulart, MD, MASCP, on September 5, in Chicago, IL. The 2024 President’s Award recognizes the delegates’ significant contributions on behalf of the specialty, particularly in advocating for changes to the FDA's proposed rule on LDTs.

ASCP delegates will continue to address emerging challenges in pathology and healthcare policy, ensuring that pathologists' and laboratory professionals’ perspectives continue to be represented effectively within the House of Medicine.

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