In 2014, Congress passed the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) to ensure millions of seniors could maintain access to critical health services, including laboratory tests. Yet, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has taken a flawed and misguided approach to PAMA implementation, leading to severe cuts to the labs that over…
In 2014, Congress passed the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) to ensure millions of seniors could maintain access to critical health services, including laboratory tests. Yet, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has taken a flawed and misguided approach to PAMA implementation, leading to severe cuts to the labs that over 56 million seniors rely on for their lab tests under Medicare.
By drastically cutting rates, including for the top-25 most commonly performed lab tests, HHS is threatening access to critical lab services for diagnosing and treating beneficiaries with diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, prostate and colon cancers, anemia, infections, opioid dependency and countless other common health conditions.
In an acknowledgement of the ongoing harm facing seniors, Congress has taken important initial steps to address the impact, including the bipartisan passage of the 2019 Laboratory Access for Beneficiaries (LAB) Act and more recently, a delay of ongoing laboratory cuts as part of the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. However, laboratory cuts are scheduled to return in 2022 and will threaten access to testing for seniors and our most vulnerable populations.
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ACLA Comments on MedPAC CLFS Session – September 2020
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LAB Act Co-Sponsors Letter to CMS
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Government’s Brief in ACLA v. Azar
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ACLA’s Motion for Summary Judgment in ACLA v. Azar
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ACLA Files A Motion for Summary Judgment Against HHS In ACLA v. Azar
Washington, D.C. — Following a favorable decision on a jurisdictional question issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the American Clinical Laboratory Association ... Read More -
For Seniors in Rural Communities, Erosion of Lab Benefits is an Urgent Threat
One in four seniors in the United States lives in a rural area—a notable statistic considering the unique set of health challenges these communities face. ... Read More -
National Health Organizations Call on Congressional Leaders to Delay Flawed Reporting Process Jeopardizing Seniors’ Access to Laboratory Care
LAB Act would delay PAMA reporting period in order to improve data collection process for market-based rates WASHINGTON, D.C. – With 53 million Americans facing ... Read More -
Reps. Peters, Bilirakis, Pascrell, Schrader, Holding and Hudson Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Seniors’ Lab Benefits, Improve Data Reporting Under PAMA
LAB Act (H.R. 3584) would delay PAMA reporting period in order to improve data collection process for market-based rates WASHINGTON, D.C. — With 53 ... Read More -
New analysis challenges GAO Report’s assumptions on lab billing
A new analysis from Braid-Forbes Health Research exposes the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) flawed assumptions about lab billing practices by presenting survey data on more ... Read More -
ACLA Files Reply Brief Ahead of Oral Arguments in ACLA v. Azar Appeal
HHS’ data collection process under PAMA disregards Congressional intent, jeopardizing lab access for millions of seniors Washington, D.C. – The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) ... Read More
