February 2025
Take Action in Support of Federal Research Funding
ASH needs your help to support the Society’s advocacy on behalf of hematologists in Washington as the new Administration issues executive orders and Congress works to finalize fiscal year (FY) 2025 federal research funding.
With Congress unable to complete work on any spending measures prior to the start of the 2025 fiscal year (FY) that began on October 1, congressional leaders passed – and President Biden signed into law – a temporary funding measure to avoid a government shutdown. Also known as a continuing resolution (CR), this temporary funding measure will keep the federal government operating at FY 2024 spending levels through March 14.
Additionally, President Trump has issued a number of executive actions impacting research and public health that have created uncertainty, confusion, and extreme concern among the research community.
As Congress works to finalize FY 2025 funding for NIH and other important research and public health programs, lawmakers need to hear from constituents about the impact this funding – and executive actions – has on hematology. If you have not already done so, please take the following steps to help:
- Share Your Story – Take ASH’s anonymous survey about how recent executive orders have affected patients with hematologic conditions and hematology research. We plan to share these real-world examples with members of Congress and the Administration.
- Contact Congress – Enter your information below to quickly send a message to your elected officials about the importance of sustained funding for NIH and other federal health programs. Please modify the letter to provide examples of why this funding is so important in your district and state. Make an even bigger impact by calling your Member of Congress and sharing the key points outlined below. Connect with your elected officials through the United States Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.
ASH Joins Research Community Letter in Support of NIH
ASH recently joined 600 organizations in a letter urging Congress to provide robust fiscal year (FY) 2025 funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and protect against cuts to the agency. Specifically, the letter called on Congress to ensure the NIH receives at least the $1.77 billion increase proposed in the Senate-approved version of the FY 2025 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Additionally, the letter supports the continuation of legislative language prohibiting changes to NIH facilities and administrative cost reimbursements.
ASH-Supported SCD Legislation Reintroduced in Senate
In late February, the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act (S.721) was reintroduced in the Senate. This bipartisan legislation aims to ensure that individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) have better access to comprehensive, high quality outpatient care, including recommended clinical, mental health, ancillary, and support services by allowing states to establish Medicaid Health Home programs with SCD as the single qualifying condition for eligibility. ASH in continuing to work with congressional champions to introduce companion legislation in the House.
Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Address Physician Payment
On January 31, Representative Greg Murphy (R-NC) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act to address the 2.83% Medicare Physician Fee Schedule payment cut that went into effect on January 1. The bill also includes an increase in Medicare physician payments by 2.5%. As part of ASH’s continued advocacy for physician payment reform, the Society joined an AMA sign-on letter supporting this legislation.
With Congress entering budget discussions, the goal is to add the bill to the Congressional spending package that must pass to fund the government beyond the March 14 continuing resolution deadline. The legislation, if passed, would be effective April 1. ASH staff will continue to advocate for the bill, encouraging Congress to include this legislation in the upcoming spending package, and will share relevant updates.
ASH Submits Comments Supporting Improvements to Medicare Advantage Plans
On January 27, ASH submitted a comment letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in response to several provisions in the CMS Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) Program proposed rule. ASH commented on provisions supporting increased transparency and aggregate and service level data collection for prior authorization practices, encouraging guardrails for the appropriate use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in coverage decisions for MA plans, and improving access for dual eligible enrollees. The Society’s comments build on previous advocacy efforts, including comments on CMS proposed rules on prior authorization practices in 2023 and 2024, and an HHS proposed rule on use of AI in 2023. ASH will continue to advocate for this issue and provide an update when the proposed rule is finalized.