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Advocacy Blogs

December 2024

ASH Advocacy and Policy Initiatives Year in Review

As we begin 2025, we reflect on the many advocacy and policy initiatives that were important to hematology and the ASH membership throughout the previous year. Learn more about ASH’s advocacy efforts last year in research and public health funding, ensuring patients have access to quality care, payment and coverage for hematologists, and issues related to sickle cell disease (SCD).

ASH Continues Advocacy for Physician Payment Reform 

In early November, ASH continued advocacy efforts for physician payment reform by joining 129 medical societies and organizations in an American Medical Association Federation sign-on letter to Congress. The letter urgently requests that Congress pass legislation to both prevent the scheduled 2.83 percent Medicare physician payment cut and, critically, provide a positive payment update for 2025.

However, as of January 1, 2025, the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) conversion factor was once again cut by 2.83 percent to $32.3465 from $33.2875 in 2024. The cut to Medicare physician services went into effect after Congress failed to address the pay cut to Medicare physicians in the scaled-back end-of-year package passed on December 20, which averted a government shutdown by funding the government through March 14.

Congress Averts Government Shutdown, Extends Funding for Federal Programs Through Mid-March

With only a few days to spare, Congress passed a second continuing resolution (CR) to fund federal agencies and programs – including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – at current levels through March 14, 2025.

The ongoing lack of a final fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget leaves NIH and other public health programs in limbo and the prospect of a flat or reduced final budget may delay progress. Until a final deal is reached on the FY 2025 budget, grassroots support is critical to show your elected officials the importance of sustained and predictable NIH funding. Simply visit the ASH Advocacy Center, enter your contact information, and click “Submit Email” to quickly and easily send a message to your elected officials.

 ASH Submits Comments to CMS on the Medicare Two Dollar Drug Program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Request for Information on the Medicare Two Dollar Drug List Model. The goal of the model is to provide Medicare beneficiaries with low, fixed copays of $2.00 for a month’s supply of any drugs on the list. ASH provided comments to CMS expressing support of the ten drugs on the drug model list relevant to hematology. The Society also recommended the inclusion of supportive care drugs such as such as immunosuppressants, antivirals, penicillin, and anti-emetics like ondansetron. Many of these medications are frequently used for affected patients in addition to therapies for their hematologic disease. Read the Society’s comments to CMS here.

ASH Submits Comments to National Government Services on LCD DL37606 Genomic Sequence Analysis Panels in the Treatment of Hematolymphoid Diseases 

The National Government Services, Inc.- a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC)- posted a local coverage determination (LCD) DL37606 Genomic Sequence Analysis Panels in the Treatment of Hematolymphoid Diseases for public comment. This LCD addresses coverage for genomic
sequencing for hematologic conditions, however there was a limitation for repeat testing for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) that may have unintended consequences and limit access to care. ASH provided comments to the National Government Services, Inc. recommending removal of the language that would limit repeat testing, and highlighting examples shared by the ASH Subcommittee on Precision Medicine. The Society also noted that the Subcommittee on Precision Medicine is currently collecting evidence to support genomic testing and repeat testing for hematologic conditions and the Society will provide this evidence with the MACs when it is published. Read the Society’s comments to the National Government Services, Inc. LCD here

The Society will continue engaging with the MACs to establish consistent coverage for myeloid malignancies and expanding coverage for lymphoid malignancies.

Grassroots Network Lunch Attendees Hear About Potential Impact of Recent Elections on Advocacy 

ASH Annual Meeting attendees at the Grassroots Network Lunch heard from Kirk Bado, the Managing Editor of The Hotline, a daily political briefing published by National Journal. Mr. Bado offered his analysis of a changing political landscape in Washington and his insights on the 2024 presidential and congressional elections and the potential impact they will have on hematology and health care advocacy. 

A recording of the session is available for registered ASH Annual Meeting attendees on the virtual meeting platform