The American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) is working with other laboratory groups to seek repeal of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) demonstration project to competitively bid clinical laboratory services. The agency plans to announce the first of two sites soon.
The trade group is concerned many laboratories will be forced out of business in the targeted areas. If CMS convinces Congress the demonstration is a success it could be expanded nationwide.
AACC’s roster of nearly 10,000 members, who develop tests and direct laboratory operations, includes clinical laboratory professionals, physicians, and research scientists.
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), chair of the House Small Business
Committee, recently introduced legislation to repeal CMS’s authority to
implement the project.
AACC backs the bill, HR3453, and is urging others in Congress to co-sponsor it, hoping to convince congressional leaders to include a provision to repeal the demo in upcoming health care legislation.
Pre-written e-mail letters can be sent to legislators via the AACC’s online advocacy center.
