Federal Legislation

New bills sound alarms on foreign adversaries and medical diagnostics
By LabPulse.com staff writers
Legislators wary of certain foreign biotech companies have introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would ban federal contracts and funding mechanisms to companies with ties to foreign adversaries.
January 26, 2024
Washington Dc Capitol Social
AACC criticizes FDA over warning on prenatal genetic tests
By Will Morton
NIPTs can determine the risk of a fetus having certain genetic abnormalities, which could result in a child being born with a serious health condition. However, since they are not diagnostic tests, they cannot confirm or rule out a suspected genetic abnormality, the FDA said.
April 21, 2022
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CAP calls for action to reduce health disparities
By LabPulse.com staff writers
If passed, the Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2021 (HR 2503) could improve healthcare data collection between federal agencies and establish a federal council to develop plans to address determinants plaguing beneficiaries in the Medicaid program, CAP said. In addition, the legislation will provide grants and assistance to state, tribal, and local governments to deploy strategies addressing these issues in their own communities.
March 30, 2022
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AACC to Senate: 4 steps to prepare for next pandemic
By LabPulse.com staff writers
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee recently released a white paper, "Preparing for the Next Pandemic," with recommendations for addressing future pandemics based on lessons learned from COVID-19. The white paper is intended to guide legislation to tackle critical gaps in the U.S. pandemic response, and the Senate health committee seeks public input on the white paper before finalizing it. The four steps recommended by the AACC are:
June 25, 2020
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CAP backs new small business funding bill, advises practices on emergency loans
By LabPulse.com staff writers
Funds are now available through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which created more than $350 billion in emergency aid for small businesses during the COVID-19 national emergency and economic downturn. Through CARES, small businesses can apply to the Small Business Administration for the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides loans to cover payroll, rent, mortgage, and utility expenses. If all employees stay on the payroll for eight weeks, the loans are forgiven.
April 7, 2020
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VITAL Act steps in on regulation of lab-developed tests
By LabPulse.com staff writers
Introduced by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), the VITAL Act also proposes ways to modernize CLIA regulations governing LDTs.
March 18, 2020
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Coronavirus symptoms take 5 days | VALID Act gets revived | FDA defends coronavirus response
By Brian Casey
Dear LabPulse Member,
March 9, 2020
Revival of VALID Act draws mixed response
By Brian Casey
The issue of diagnostics regulation has emerged as a political lightning rod, with some faulting the Trump administration's response to the outbreak and others blaming what they claim is a history of federal overregulation of clinical labs.
March 8, 2020
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Congress skips surprise billing, passes LAB Act
By Emily Hayes
Per the LAB Act data reporting requirements on payments for lab services associated with the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA) will be delayed for one year. Furthermore, an independent study will be commissioned on data collection and rate setting for lab services.
December 22, 2019
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CAP deems surprise billing deal 'unacceptable'
By LabPulse.com staff writers
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), and Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) unveiled an agreement on December 8 that includes provisions enabling the government to set payment rates and an independent arbitration process for claim amounts over $750. The plan is to attach the proposal to spending legislation, which needs to be passed by December 20.
December 10, 2019
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CAP: Action on surprise medical bills may collapse, despite bipartisan support
By Emily Hayes
Surprise billing is at the forefront of issues on CAP's advocacy agenda, said Dr. Donald Karcher, chair of CAP's Council on Government and Professional Affairs. He moderated a panel on timely advocacy topics at the meeting, which is being held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, FL, near Orlando.
September 22, 2019
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Antiopioid law could criminalize sales commissions for clinical lab patient referrals
By Joseph Constance
The legislation, called the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act, was originally intended to battle the U.S. opioid crisis when passed in 2018. But the bill also has an all-payor kickback prohibition that applies to laboratories, recovery homes, and clinical treatment facilities. This prohibition applies to all laboratory business arrangements covered by all payors -- not just government but also commercial -- and to all types of testing, not just to labs undertaking opioid-related toxicology testing.
April 17, 2019
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