Advocacy

#Fight4Hematology Action Hub

Fight4Hematology banner on top of a picture of the Capitol Building

As the world’s largest professional society serving clinicians and scientists around the world who are working to conquer blood diseases, ASH is fighting for hematology in the face of executive orders and other federal actions that threaten hematology research and, ultimately, the care of patients.

ASH has created a new #Fight4Hematology Action Hub to keep you up-to-date on ASH's efforts and provide four easy ways you can get involved to protect the future of hematology research and advances in patient care. Together, we can drive meaningful change!

News and Updates

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    Advocate

    As the new Administration pushes policy and budget changes that threaten scientific research and, ultimately, the care of patients with blood diseases, ASH is fighting for hematology. Join ASH in making sure the support of hematology research and practice remain top national priorities. ASH’s commitment to advocacy remains stronger than ever! #Fight4Hematology by contacting your members of Congress to protect hematology research.

    Contact Congress - Take action to support access to care by opposing funding cuts to Medicaid.

    Contact Congress - Take action to protect federal research funding.

    Contact Congress - Take action to protect critical federal health workforce and infrastructure.

    Join the Grassroots Network - Stay up-to-date on the latest hematology-related news from Washington and learn about ASH's advocacy campaigns.

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    Tell ASH Your Story

    Make your voice heard in Congress by sharing how executive orders have impacted hematology research, patient care, and the future of treatment — because your experience can drive meaningful change.

    Take the Survey - Impact of Potential Medicaid Cuts

    Take the Survey - Impact of Executive Orders on Hematologic Research. Take ASH’s anonymous survey about how recent executive orders have affected patients with hematologic conditions and hematology research. ASH plans to share these real-world examples with members of Congress and the Administration.

    Involve Your Patients - Congress needs to hear from patients and patient advocacy groups about funding for medical research and how critical NIH-funded research is to the development of new medical treatments for patients with blood diseases. Invite your patients to participate in ASH's patient advocacy campaign to send a letter to their Senators and Representatives.

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    Share

    Use social media to join the #Fight4Hematology! Help share ASH's message by following ASH's accounts.

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    Donate

    ASH is dedicated to helping hematologists conquer blood diseases worldwide. The ASH Foundation Greatest Needs Fund helps support additional awards including the Bridge Grant Awards, ensuring ASH members can continue their vital work.

    Make a gift to the ASH Foundation

Congressional Hearing – Biomedical Research: Keeping America’s Edge in Innovation

Mark your calendars! A Bipartisan Congressional Hearing: Biomedical Research: Keeping America’s Edge in Innovation, will be held on Wednesday, April 30, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time. This hearing will be the first in a series held by the Appropriations Committee on examining the importance of biomedical research for the nation’s health and economy. ASH will be submitting testimony in support of continued funding for biomedical research as part of its #Fight4Hematology.

Learn More and Tune in on the Appropriations Committee Website

News and Updates

Stay up-to-date on ASH’s advocacy work. Get the latest news, policy developments, and updates affecting the hematology community.

ASH President’s Column: “Stand Up and Be Counted”

April 14, 2025

ASH President Belinda R. Avalos, MD, shares what the Society is doing in response to federal actions that threaten scientific research and access to health care: “ASH is rising to this challenge, and we need your help.”

Read President's Column

ASH Calls on HHS to Immediately Restore CDCs Division of Blood Disorders and Public Health Genomics

April 8, 2025

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) and 95 national and state organizations representing more than a million Americans living with or treating chronic and acute blood-related disorders sent a letter to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging him to fully restore the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Blood Disorders and Public Health Genomics. ASH will be sharing the letter with other key leaders in the House and Senate.

Read Press Release 

ASH Statement on Restructuring and Mass Layoffs Announced at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

March 28, 2025

Urging Thoughtful Reform: Prioritizing Patient Access, Innovative Research, and Hematology Progress in HHS Reorganization.

Read Press Release 

ASH Joins the CHF in Calling for Action Against the Recent HHS Reorganization and Mass Layoffs.

March 27, 2025

The Coalition for Health Funding (CHF), an alliance of nearly 90 nonprofit organizations working to promote strong investments in the public health continuum, is sounding the alarm about the administration’s recent actions to reorganize the Department of Health and Human Services, freeze funding, and dismantle essential programs that protect public health, provide health care for Americans, keep them healthy, and ensure America remains the global leader in developing new treatments and cures.

Read the Full Statement

Crisis at NIH: Senate Forum On Real-World Consequences of Disruptions

March 26, 2025

ASH recently attended a forum addressing the potential de-funding of NIH and the serious risks it poses to hematology research.

Watch the Forum Recording  

ASH Significantly Expands Bridge Grant Eligibility

March 20, 2025

The changes offer increased opportunities and flexibility for researchers facing challenges in securing NIH funding in light of recent cutbacks to federal research support.

Read Press Release 

Let's all be that person who's going to stand up and fight for science, fight for research, fight for hematology, and fight for our patients. 

Belinda R. Avalos, MD / 2025 ASH President

Read the President's Column

Testimony and Correspondence

View formal congressional testimony and correspondence related to issues affecting hematologists and their patients.

ASH Letter to HHS Secretary Kennedy: Improving Access to Care & Biomedical Research

ASH reaches out to the confirmed Secratary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The American Society of Hematology (ASH) writes to offer assitance as Secratary Kennedy develops and implements programs and policies that will affect our members and their patients with hematologic disorders.

Download the Letter 

ASH Letter to NIH Director Dr. Bhattacharya: Protecting & Advancing Hematology Research

ASH writes the newly confirmed Director of the National Institute of Health (NIH) to share our commitment to reduce the burden of chronic disease through NIH's important work.

Download the Letter 

ASH Joins Sign-On Letter to House and Senate Labor HHS Subcommittees on HHS FY26 Budget Proposal

ASH joined over 530 local, state, and national organizations in sending a letter calling on House and Senate appropriators to reject the proposed cuts outlined in a leaked version of the draft fiscal year (FY) 2026 discretionary budget request for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Download the Letter 

Letter to Secretary Kennedy on Reinstating CDC Blood Division

The undersigned organizations represent millions of Americans living with chronic and acute blood-related disorders that can cause lifetime disability, premature death and significantly impact the cost of healthcare in this country. Blood disorders in the United States (U.S.) are a major public health problem, demanding a strong and coordinated federal response.

Download the Letter 

ASH Joins Letter to President Trump on Women’s Health

ASH, alongside 550 organizations, signed an open letter to the Trump Administration advocating for the prioritization of women’s health research.

Download the Letter 

ASH Submits Statement to House Labor HHS Appropriations Committee in Support of NIH and CDC

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) appreciates the opportunity to provide outside witness testimony to the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) for the FY 2026 Labor-HHS appropriations bill.

Download the Letter 

ASH Joins Health Care Organizations in a Letter Urging the AMA to Advocate for Medicaid

On behalf of the undersigned delegations, specialty societies, sections, state medical societies, and dedicated members of the American Medical Association, we write to express significant concern regarding potential federal cuts to Medicaid.

Download the Letter 

ASH Joins AMA Sign-On Letter to Congress on Medicare Payment

ASH joined a coalition letter to the House of Representatives urging congressional action to mitigate the 2025 Medicare physician payment cut of 2.83 percent which went into effect on January 1, 2025.

Download the Letter 

Resources

Explore ASH’s awards and funding opportunities that support hematologists at every career stage, empowering growth and innovation in hematology..

ASH Expands Bridge Grant Program

Recent NIH funding cuts have led to hiring freezes, layoffs, and halted research projects nationwide. In response, ASH is stepping up.

In response to the evolving funding landscape for NIH extramural research funding, ASH has made significant changes to expand access and eligibility for the Bridge Grant Program for researchers. Apply by May 1!

See Award Details

ASH Awards for All Career Stages

Use ASH’s award programs to gain mentorship, funding, and recognition at every career stage. With over 20 opportunities available, medical students, residents, and hematologists can advance their research, grow professionally, and contribute to the future of hematology.

See All Awards 

Access the ASH Job Center

ASH recognizes that recent changes may have impacted many in our community. Whether you're seeking your next role or want to share your resume, the ASH Job Center is a great place to explore a wide range of hematology and oncology opportunities for professionals at all career stages.

View All Listings 

Resources for PhDs

ASH is committed to standing by PhD-trained scientists who play a vital role in advancing hematology research. Visit the Resources for PhDs page—created specifically for PhD-trained individuals and explore a wide range of resources, awards, and opportunities.

Explore All Resources