ASCP National Test Strategy Included in Legislation Passed by Senate

President Trump and the United States Senate have agreed to historic legislation that will implement a National Testing Diagnostic Strategy. On Tuesday, the United States Senate reached a deal on a $484 billion coronavirus relief package that has $25 billion set aside for coronavirus testing. ASCP CEO Blair Holladay, PhD, MASCP, SCT(ASCP)^CM, stated, "The adoption of a national testing strategy is a victory for patients who need to have access to testing immediately. We thank the President and the Senate for their wisdom in agreeing to a strategy that will make testing available as soon as possible."

The next step will be for the legislation to be sent to the House of Representatives and then to the President for his signature.  The legislation also appears to include funding for laboratory workforce development and training. "The details of such provisions will need to be reviewed, but we are hopeful this will help grow the laboratory workforce for our patients," said Dr. Holladay. 

ASCP will work with policymakers at the federal and state level to ensure that the details of the ASCP National Diagnostic Testing and Support Strategy are adopted.

For more information regarding ASCP's advocacy initiatives and policy positions, please contact ASCP's Center for Public Policy at (202) 408-1110.