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 many of the most commonly performed lab tests, HHS may threaten 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 acted three times to “press the breaks” on the harm caused by PAMA. The bipartisan 2019 Laboratory Access for Beneficiaries (LAB) Act initially delayed the second round of data reporting. Congress acted twice more through the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act in 2021 to not only, again, delay the data reporting, but also delay additional cuts to laboratories. These cuts to laboratories are scheduled to return on January 1, 2023 and may threaten access to testing for seniors and our most vulnerable populations.
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Congress Must Fix PAMA, Protecting Patient Access to Laboratory Testing Services
America’s clinical laboratories deliver screening and diagnostic test results that serve as the foundation for early diagnosis, disease prevention, and personalized care for millions of ... Read More -
ACLA Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Bill to Protect Seniors’ Access to Critical Diagnostic Tests
Washington, D.C. – The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) today welcomed the bipartisan introduction of the Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act (SALSA) to ensure America’s seniors maintain ... Read More -
Congress Passes PAMA Relief, Safeguards Seniors’ Access to Critical Lab Tests Ahead of January Deadline
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) applauds the passage of S. 610, the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act, paving the way for renewed ... Read More -
ACLA Applauds Inclusion of PAMA Relief in Year-End Medicare Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) today welcomed the bipartisan and bicameral agreement to safeguard seniors’ access to lifesaving clinical laboratory services in the ... Read More -
Leading Organizations Representing Seniors, Health Care Professionals, Laboratories and Diagnostic Manufacturers Call on Congress to Take Immediate Action to Delay Pending Cuts to Lab Tests, Flawed Reporting Requirements to Protect Seniors’ Access to Lifesaving Lab Testing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With millions of seniors facing decreased access to lab services as a result of cuts to nearly 600 lab tests, nearly 30 leading ... Read More -
Letter from Industry Stakeholders on Protecting Seniors’ Access to Lab Tests
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Preventive Screenings and Routine Testing Are Essential for Protecting Seniors’ Health
With Medicare reimbursement for nearly 600 laboratory tests scheduled for significant cuts in a matter of weeks, 56 million seniors are at risk of losing access to ... Read More -
For 56 Million Seniors, New Cuts to Lab Tests Makes the Road to Better Health Much Harder
Millions of seniors weathered the worst of the pandemic – the uncertainty of COVID-19, the disruptions to family life and the ongoing risks to their ... Read More -
Seniors’ return to health could be jeopardized by upcoming lab cuts
Over the past two years, seniors have had to be extra vigilant when it comes to protecting their health, especially those with existing health issues ... Read More -
ACLA Statement on MedPAC Report
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Following the release of MedPAC’s June report, ACLA President Julie Khani issued the following statement: “Recognizing the flawed implementation of the 2014 Protecting Access to ... Read More