ePolicy News February 2024

Reverse the Medicare Cut
ASCP, the American Medical Association (AMA), and more than 100 other medical specialty societies continue to urge Congress to reverse the 3.4-percent cut in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2024. The effort is part of an advocacy campaign led by the AMA to reform the budget neutrality policies of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Learn how you can help. Read more.

New Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce Coalition Gaining Traction
ASCP is gaining recognition among several prominent allied health organizations for its integral role in establishing the Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce Coalition and other workforce initiatives. Read more.

ASCP Urges Congressional Support for Cervical Health
As part of our Cervical Health Awareness Month activities, ASCP has reached out to key U.S. senators and their staff to gain bipartisan support for a “Dear Colleague” letter encouraging effective, equitable cervical cancer screening in the United States. Read more.

Tomorrow’s Workforce Act Endorsed by ASCP
ASCP has endorsed the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1477/S. 722), introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in the U.S. Senate and Representative Robert J. Wittman (R-VA) in the House of Representatives. The measure would allow the use of funds in a qualified tuition program (aka, a 529 account) to pay for expenses associated with obtaining or maintaining recognized postsecondary credentials, such as professional certification. Read more.

 ASCP Transitions Choosing Wisely Program, Continuing Commitment to Effective Test Utilization
After a successful 10-year run, the ABIM Foundation has chosen to discontinue its Choosing Wisely campaign. ASCP, which joined the Choosing Wisely campaign soon after its inception, has followed suit. ASCP is reorganizing its effective test utilization efforts to continue supporting the needs of patients and members. Learn about its Effective Test Utilization Call for Nomination of Best Practices. Submissions are due March 31. Read more.

 Effective Test Utilization eLearning Course Coming Soon
This month, ASCP will launch an eLearning course, Case-Based Best Practices in Effective Test Utilization for Clinical Laboratories, which will be freely available to learners through August 2025. The course will be available via ASCP’s learning management system and is eligible for 1.0 CME/CMLE credit. Read more.

Persistence Pays Off. ASCP and ASCP Certification Achieve One of Their Greatest Advocacy Wins
Advocacy can be a long-term process. Done well, it combines strong leadership, clear and effective communication, perseverance, and, often, a strong grassroots operation. ASCP and the ASCP Board of Certification achieved one of their most important advocacy accomplishments on behalf of members and patients, when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in December withdrew its proposal to allow individuals with a bachelor’s degree in nursing to perform high complexity testing. Here’s how they pulled it off. Read more.

Dynamic Building Bridges Webinar Series Returns
The second installment of the Building Bridges Across the Laboratory Community webinar series will begin February 28 from 11 a.m.–12 p.m. CST. The series—presented by ASCP, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Laboratory Systems—highlight case studies of laboratory partnerships and alliances that have played a vital role in addressing workforce challenges and/or enhancing public health response efforts. Read more.

 CMS Final Rule Improves Prior Authorization Policies
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released a final rule making important changes to its prior authorization policies. The changes are expected to cut patient care delays and electronically streamline the process for physicians. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates the changes will save physician practices an estimated $15 billion over 10 years. Read more.

 ASCP, ASCP BOC Urge Changes to CA Personnel Licensure Rule
In mid-January, ASCP and the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) submitted formal comments to the California Department of Public Health urging it to make several changes to a proposed rule impacting the licensure of laboratory professionals. Learn about the recommendations offered by ASCP and the BOC. Read more.

In Memoriam: Brigadier General Edith P. Mitchell, MD, Worked to End Healthcare Disparities
Retired Brigadier General Edith P. Mitchell, MD, a medical oncologist who worked throughout her career to end healthcare disparities, passed away unexpectedly in January. “Dr. Mitchell was a beloved health equity champion and renowned researcher. She inspired so many with her trailblazing contributions to medicine,” says Dana Powell Baker, EdD, MBA, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, a past chair of ASCP’s Council of Laboratory Professionals and current president of the Society of Black Pathologists. Read more.

Call for ASCP Board of Director Nominations
The ASCP Nominations Committee is now accepting nominations for ASCP Board of Director positions open in September 2024. Nominations will be accepted until March 18, 2024. Click here for more information.