Newswise — ROCKVILLE, Md. – Dec. 23, 2022 – The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP), the premier global, molecular diagnostic professional society, today applauded Congress for reaching an agreement on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 and recognizing that it was not the appropriate mechanism for advancing the Verifying Accurate Leading-edge IVCT Development (VALID) Act. The VALID Act proposed dramatic oversight modifications that would have been disruptive to clinical testing laboratories and harmful to patients throughout the U.S.
“AMP members have worked tirelessly to lead advocacy efforts to inform policymakers on how to best modernize the current regulatory framework for laboratory testing services,” said Mary Steele Williams, Executive Director, Association for Molecular Pathology. “We are grateful for champions in Congress such as U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), who shared our concerns about the significant flaws in the VALID Act. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress and other stakeholders in 2023 to help ensure widespread patient access to high-quality, essential medical procedures.”
“For decades we have allowed clinical labs in our nation’s academic medical centers the freedom to innovate under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). The VALID Act would have upended that system and replicated the testing nightmare of the early days of the COVID pandemic, putting all lab-developed tests under the FDA’s control,” said Senator Paul. “I have been fighting to stop the VALID Act for years, so I am pleased to say that despite a major push all year by powerful special interests, the VALID Act was kept out of the 2022 year-end legislation.”
AMP also thanks Congress for including the following provisions and protections for clinical laboratory professionals in the Consolidated Appropriations Act.
- One-year delay to the implementation of the clinical lab fee schedule provisions within the Protecting Access to Medicare Act.
- Two-year extension to existing telehealth waivers without any restrictions for laboratory test ordering.
- Additional infectious disease reporting infrastructure and support for efforts that will enable early detection of emerging variants of concern from the PREVENT Pandemics Act.
ABOUT AMP
The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) was founded in 1995 to provide structure and leadership to the emerging field of molecular diagnostics. AMP's more than 2,900 members practice various disciplines of molecular diagnostics, including bioinformatics, infectious diseases, inherited conditions, and oncology. Our members are pathologists, clinical laboratory directors, basic and translational scientists, technologists, and trainees that practice in a variety of settings, including academic and community medical centers, government, and industry. Through the efforts of its Board of Directors, Committees, Working Groups, and Members, AMP is the primary resource for expertise, education, and collaboration in one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare. AMP members influence policy and regulation on the national and international levels, ultimately serving to advance innovation in the field and protect patient access to high-quality, appropriate testing. For more information, visit www.amp.org and follow AMP on Twitter: @AMPath
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