ePolicy News – November 2022

ASCP Celebrates Victory in Student Loan Forgiveness Reform 
The U.S. Department of Education has released its final regulations reforming federal student loan programs, which ASCP is celebrating as a key victory. The Society has been urging the federal government to expand student loan forgiveness. Read more.

ASCP Wage Survey, Advocacy Boost Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Pathology Payments 
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has adopted ASCP’s 2019 Wage Survey data into the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, a victory for ASCP’s pathologist and laboratory personnel members. Read more.

 Results of ASCP 2021 Wage Survey Released
The results of the ASCP 2021 Wage Survey have been released and show mean hourly wage for staff-level personnel increased for only two occupations—cytologist and medical laboratory scientists—after adjusting for inflation. The survey data also captures the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on staffing, workload, and work-life balance of laboratory professionals. Read more.

Urge Congress to Create More Sustainable Laboratory Fee Schedule
ASCP continues to urge members to send an Action Alert to their Congressional leaders asking them to support legislation that would reform the Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule. Read more.

ASCP Collaborates with ASCLS and ASM to Submit New Choosing Wisely Recommendations
ASCP, together with the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and American Society for Microbiology, has released two new lists of recommendations for laboratory tests that are commonly ordered, but not always appropriate in pathology and laboratory medicine, as part of the Choosing Wisely campaign. Read more.

National Academy of Medicine Publishes National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being
ASCP leaders recently attended the National Academies’ National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being Launch Event. The Plan outlines priorities that include creating a positive work and learning environment; supporting mental health initiatives; and recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive health workforce. Read more.