ASCLS Legislative Symposium
The ASCLS Legislative Symposium was once again a great success, with about 140 registrants. An additional sponsor was added this year, with the Symposium being sponsored by ASCLS, CLMA, ASCP, and AMT. Speaking duties were divided among the sponsoring organizations as well as additional speakers: Judy Yost from CMS with a CLIA Update and a legislative assistant from a congressman's office.The major issues discussed were the personnel shortage and modernization of the Medicare laboratory fee schedule.
Click on one of the following links to view some PowerPoint’s (in PDF format) on:
The Laboratory Personnel Shortage
Reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act and Support Practical Title VII Provisions
Why is Federal Support of the Laboratory Workforce Needed? Patient access to quality health care services relies, in large part, on an adequate supply of welltrained allied health professionals. Unfortunately, many allied health fields, including the field of medical laboratory science, are plagued by severe workforce shortages. Read more here
Medicare Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Fee Schedule Modernization Act of 2009(HR 1452)
Why Modernize the CLFS? Adopted in 1984 with no fundamental review in 25 years Laboratories have suffered real cuts and are paid at rates lower than 1984 when adjusted for inflation Laboratories struggle to hire and retain qualified personnel. Read more here
The Value of Advocacy: How to Win Friends and Influence Policy on Capitol Hill Read more here
Modernizing the Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Fee Schedule
The Medicare program reimburses clinical diagnostic laboratory tests according to the fee schedule created under section 1833(h) of the Social Security Act. This fee schedule has not been subject to a fundamental review since it was established in 1984. Significant technological advances in the delivery of clinical laboratory services in the last 25 years are not fully reflected in the current clinical laboratory fee schedule. Unless the fee schedule is modernized, patient access to health care is at risk and shortages in qualified personnel are anticipated. It is time to modernize the clinical diagnostic fee schedule to reflect increased cost and enhanced technology. Read more here
The Case for Updating the Medicare Specimen Collection Fee
Since its inception 24 years ago, the fee has never been adjusted – even for inflation. It is still $3.00. If the fee had been adjusted just to keep up with the CPIU, the fee would be about $6.04 today. Read more here
Prospects for Health Care Reform; Opportunities for the Clinical Lab Community Read more here
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