ASCP Reaffirms Support for the No Surprises Act 

ASCP is urging Congress for stronger enforcement of the No Surprises Act as insurers exploit loopholes that undermine patient protections and strain independent medical practices. The Society is backing bipartisan legislation to reinforce fairness, transparency, and timely reimbursement in the dispute resolution process. Read More.  

RFK Jr. Begins Recruitment for New USPSTF Members: What It Means for Preventive Care Policy 

A major overhaul of how new members are recruited and vetted for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force could reshape how preventive care recommendations are made—and which services insurers must cover. ASCP and other medical organizations are watching closely as concerns grow about independence and scientific rigor. Read More.  

ASCP Highlights the Role of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in NIH Strategic Plan Comments 

ASCP urges NIH to more fully recognize the foundational role of pathology and laboratory medicine in research, innovation, and public health preparedness. The Society also called for inclusion of the laboratory workforce in future training and funding as diagnostics become more data driven and technologically complex. Read More.  

ASCP Proudly Supports the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act 

ASCP is backing bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding access to coordinated, high-quality Medicaid care for people living with sickle cell disease. The bill would allow states to establish a specialized Medicaid Health Home to improve outcomes and continuity of care for those living with SCD. Read More.   

HRSA  Health Professions Student Scholarships  

The HRSA Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program launches in May 2026. Eligible education institutions offering bachelor’s and graduate degrees in medical laboratory science, medicine, public health, and allied health, among others, can receive funding for student scholarships. Read More.   

The ASCP 2026 Vacancy Survey Deadline EXTENDED! 

ASCP’s long-running Vacancy Survey is collecting critical data on staffing shortages, hiring challenges, and workforce trends in clinical laboratories nationwide. Your participation helps inform policymakers, educators, and health system leaders shaping the future of the profession. Read More.   

Advancing Laboratory Visibility in Health Policy and Leadership 

ASCP’s upcoming Building Bridges webinar on May 20 focuses on helping laboratory professionals make their value visible in executive and policy discussions. Register to learn practical communication strategies to translate laboratory needs into language that resonates with decision-makers. Read More. 

• Join us for ASCP’s Upcoming Building Bridges Webinar! 

This month, our Building Bridges Across the Laboratory Community initiative turns its attention to one of the most persistent challenges in our field: visibility. Although the medical laboratory remains the backbone of diagnostic medicine, its impact is too often overlooked in executive decision making, and public policy conversations that shape healthcare delivery. 

The upcoming webinar, Making the Lab’s Value Heard in the C‑Suite, is designed to address this gap. This session will equip laboratory professionals and leaders with the communication strategies needed to translate needs into the financial, operational, and public policy language that resonates with hospital executives and state officials. 

Webinar Date and Time: May 20, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (Central Time) 

If you have not registered for this year’s series, visit the Building Bridges Across the Laboratory Community webpage. 

For more information on our workforce resources, please visit the ASCP workforce webpage. 

Take the survey today! ASCP Vacancy Survey 2026 

For more information on our workforce resources, please visit the ASCP workforce webpage. . 

• ASCP joined more than 75 organizations in urging Congress to enact the bipartisan Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act, which would expand access to coordinated, high‑quality Medicaid care for people living with sickle cell disease. 

• The Society remains a strong advocate of the SCDCCA. 

ASCP recently amplified the collective call for Congressional action by signing a letter urging the Senate Finance Committee and House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee to include the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act (SCDCCA)  (S. 721 / H.R. 5178) in an upcoming hearing or markup. ASCP and more than75 groups in signing the letter.  

The SCDCCA is bipartisan legislation that aims to ensure that individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) have better access to coordinated, high-quality outpatient care – including all recommended clinical, mental health, ancillary, and support services – by allowing states to establish Medicaid Health Home programs with SCD as the single qualifying condition for eligibility.  

ASCP has strongly supported this legislation since first approached about it by the American Society of Hematology, and we will continue to advocate for its passage while keeping members informed as it progresses. 

• ASCP submitted comments on the draft NIH strategic plan, urging the agency to better recognize the impact that pathology and laboratory medicine has on its work.  

ASCP recently submitted comments on the National Institutes of Health’s FY27–FY31 Strategic Plan, emphasizing the essential role pathology and laboratory medicine plays in advancing the nation’s health research goals. ASCP noted that pathologists and laboratory professionals generate the biological data that fuels discovery, supports early detection, and enables precision therapies—directly contributing to NIH’s priorities to deepen foundational knowledge, promote health across the lifespan, and accelerate effective treatments and cures.  

ASCP also urged NIH to commit to strengthening the research workforce and urged the agency to explicitly include the medical and public health laboratory community in future training and funding initiatives. As diagnostics become more data‑driven and technologically complex, targeted investment in this workforce is critical to sustaining innovation, public health surveillance, and emergency response capacity.  

Finally, ASCP supports NIH’s focus on scientific stewardship and public trust. High‑quality laboratory operations, transparent research practices, and robust data integrity are central to producing reliable, patient‑centered science. By integrating laboratory expertise across its strategic priorities, NIH can ensure that pathology and laboratory medicine remain core drivers of a resilient and impactful biomedical research enterprise. 

The prospect of replacing current USPSTF members has prompted strong reactions from major organizations like the American Medical Association (AMA) – who has expressed “deep concern” about removing existing task force members en masse. ASCP is similarly concerned and hopes the task force’s longstanding nonpartisan role and reliance on scientific evidence are upheld. Additionally, stakeholders and experts are concerned about potential political influence and the loss of continuity in preventive care recommendations.   

What’s Next 

Federal officials are already vetting candidates, and changes could occur “imminently.” The new task force is expected to align more closely with the administration’s health policy priorities, though details around selection criteria and timing are lacking.   

The selection process typically considers candidates’ clinical expertise, research background, and experience applying evidence to population‑level health decisions. Once appointed, new members will help shape recommendations that affect millions of patients and guide coverage decisions under federal law.  

As recruitment continues, healthcare stakeholders – including ASCP – will be monitoring closely. The composition of the USPSTF will shape preventive healthcare policy for years to come, influencing clinical guidelines, insurance coverage, and even public health outcomes.  

In a joint letter, ASCP and others detailed how health plans are exploiting gaps in the current system—undermining patient protections and shifting financial burdens onto independent medical practices. The letter calls for stronger federal enforcement and greater transparency in the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process, offering several targeted recommendations to improve fairness and accountability.  

ASCP is also supporting bipartisan legislation to reinforce these protections. The No Surprises Act Enforcement Act (H.R. 4710/S. 2420) would strengthen the IDR process by authorizing penalties for parties that fail to meet statutory payment timelines after an IDR decision is issued. This fix would help ensure timely, reliable reimbursement and uphold the law’s intent.  

ASCP will continue advocating for reforms that protect patients and support the viability of medical practices. 

The annual five-day Pathology Update course—held June 8-12, 2026—is a comprehensive learning opportunity for pathologists, residents, and fellows. Learn alongside world-class faculty, connect with peers, and earn 36 CME credits in a dynamic, engaging environment. 

“Great course to stay on top anatomic pathology practice.”  
- 2025 Pathology Update attendee 

The course takes place at ASCP Headquarters in Chicago—plan your stay to take advantage of a full week of surgical pathology learning followed by a focused, two-day deep dive into AI applications in the lab. 

The Government of Puerto Rico issued an official proclamation that designated April 19–25, 2026 as Medical Laboratory Professionals Week across the island. The formal presentation took place at HRPLabs, with the Subsecretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Health in attendance, a testament to the significance of this recognition at the highest levels of government. 

“This proclamation made this year’s Lab Week especially meaningful for Puerto Rico. It is a proud recognition of the essential work medical laboratory professionals do every day in support of patient care, diagnostic excellence, and the healthcare system,” says Frank Kinard of HRPLabs. “For us at HRPLabs, it was an honor to help bring greater visibility to a profession that is so vital and so often works behind the scenes.” 

This year’s annual Lab Week Photo and Video contest theme was “To Infinity and Beyond for Our Patients,” play on Buzz Lightyear’s famous quote from the ‘Toy Story’ animated feature film. The winners of this year’s contest are Wichita State University’s MLS program for its photo and returning video winners, Labcorp, for its second win in two years.  

“Labcorp’s mission is to improve health and improve lives, and our Lab Story video highlights the people and teamwork behind the science,” says Racquel White, Chief Communications Officer at Labcorp. “Through peer recognition and collaboration, it illustrates how care, connection and extra effort translate into meaningful impact for the people and communities we serve.” 

ASCP’s annual photo/video contest is a great opportunity for laboratory professionals to demonstrate their creative problem solving and teamwork skills outside of a clinical setting. 

“This year’s video was inspired by the ‘pass the mic’ trend on social media,” explained Ms. White. “It was a fun, authentic way to hear directly from our team members and capture Labcorp’s culture through quick, energetic moments— showing how we build on each other’s work to go ‘to infinity and beyond’ for patients and customers.”  

When asked how the leadership and team members reacted when they learned they had won the video contest for the second year in a row, Ms. White says, “It’s incredibly exciting and meaningful to win again because it recognizes the team members who shared their stories. Our teams care about their work, each other, and stay focused on making a real difference for patients and customers every day. Our video reinforces that when we lead with authenticity, collaboration, and purpose, it resonates.”  

In Kansas, the students and faculty of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program at Wichita State University, worked hard on their winning ‘photo masterpiece,’ and even harder promoting MLS professions to family and friends through the digital platform offered by ASCP’s annual contest. 

“The faculty and students of our MLS program at Wichita State University make such an amazing team. Everyone worked hard to put their all into this submission. We had an absolute blast working on it! With so much passion put into our creation, we had no problem proudly sharing it with friends and family to vote with us daily,” shares Josephine Cochran, MLS student, Wichita State University and President, Student MLS Association. “We took this opportunity to advocate for careers in laboratory science. Many members of the public are unaware of this line of work in healthcare, and at WSU, we take every chance to make our program well known.” 

Wichita State University MLS program’s ‘photo masterpiece’ features their favorite ‘Toy Story’ characters performing laboratory science. 

“The entire MLS program is dressed in homemade costumes, conducting routine lab work, featuring units of blood, pipettes, and stacks of cultured plates. There is a towering ‘PPE monster’ coming to cite us because we are toys, not human MLS professionals, performing lab work. You’ll find more details as you investigate our photo,” says Ms. Cochran. 

“This is WSU's first time winning the lab week photo or video contest,” Ms. Cochran said. “We are over the moon that ASCP provides this opportunity to so many organizations like ours, which have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of it and are a stronger team as a result.” 

When Medical Laboratory Scientist Ogochukwu Ugwunna relocated to Indiana, she initially felt a ‘vacuum’ in her life. She was missing connections and community.   

“I am passionate about two things, healthcare, and welfare. I was hungry for like-minded people, a professional family and community with the same vision and passion,” shares Ogochukwu Ugwunna MSc, BMLS, (ASCPⁱ)^CM, MLSCN.  

Ms. Ugwunna quickly learned that the closest ASCP chapter to her was a four-hour drive away. So, the former national student leader of the Nigerian Medical Laboratory Science Students Association (NIMELSSA) did what any leader would do—she started talking and networking, sharing the idea of forming a chapter with colleagues and other laboratory scientists in her professional community. 

“I had interacted with many colleagues and discovered that there are others, like me, who want to make a positive impact too. That was it for me. ‘I am not alone on this,’ I said to myself. ‘I need to bring all these medical laboratory professionals together. We will work better and stronger together.’ This is why I decided to start the ASCP Indiana Chapter,” Ms. Ugwunna says.  

Starting a new professional organization from the ground up, in a new place while working in a new professional position, sounds like a daunting challenge. But Ms. Ugwunna is confident. She has the advice and support of ASCP’s Council of Laboratory Management and Administration and Member Engagement team.  

“I have the right people around me. They are wonderful in their guidance and assistance she says.  Ms. Ugwunna highlighted guidance from Council Chair, Brittany Teeter, MS, CLS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, Chair-Elect, Cassie Hartgrave, MPH, MLS(ASCP)^CM, members Chandler Ho, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, MB, DLM, and Alfonso Ortiz, MLS(ASCP)^CM, as well as the ASCP Membership team. Each one has had an important and positive impact on the chapter development process, noting ASCP staff have been the ‘strongest pillar in this endeavor.’”  

When asked what her plans and goals are for the chapter after launches, Ms. Ugwunna shares, “My goal for the chapter is simple: advocacy and visibility. We have started working already. We just concluded a visit to a high school yesterday, during Lab Week 2026. The interaction with the students, their questions, and their eagerness to learn more reassured me about this endeavor. It's a privilege to do what I am doing, I love my job, and I am grateful for this opportunity.”  

Learn more about ASCP Chapters near you here. 

There are also four Deep-Dive Workshops that will offer in-depth, interactive longer-form learning experiences, plus the Rapid Review Series, 10 sessions that will each offer rapid-fire foundational knowledge reviews, valuable for attendees at any stage in their careers.    

The ASCP 2026 Annual Meeting’s full education program provides actionable learning you can apply on the job and leverage to enhance your career. You will have the opportunity to build a strong set of new tools, knowledge that will leave you more inspired, energized, and better equipped.   

Discover more about ASCP 2026 by clicking here.  

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is launching a grant competition for their Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program. HRSA will provide eligible health professions schools with funding to award scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Eligible health professions degree programs include bachelor’s and graduate degrees in medical laboratory technology, medicine, public health and allied health. There are 80 expected grant awards available with a $650,000 grant award maximum. It is estimated that the application will open on May 12, 2026, and that the estimated application due date will be June 12, 2026.  

Programs interested in submitting grant applications are encouraged to review the funding opportunity for eligibility criteria and application requirements. Find more information about the grant opportunity here.