Congress routinely conducts hearings, initiates reports and enacts legislation of interest to clinical laboratories.  AACC actively participates in this process, meeting with congressional staff, attending hearings, and providing organizational and grassroots input on issues of concern to the association and the field.  Please check back periodically to learn about legislative measures of interest to the laboratory community introduced during the 113th Congress. You can obtain copies of the legislation listed below by going to the congressional Web site THOMAS.

House of Representatives

H.R.351, “Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act,” would eliminate the Independent Payment Advisory Board created by the Affordable Care Act of 2010. The IPAB will be able to make cuts in Medicare spending without congressional or public input Sponsor: Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN).  AACC has endorsed the measure. 

H.R.523, “The Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2013,” would repeal the 2.3 percent excise tax on medical device manufacturers that took effect on January 1, 2013, as part of health care reform.  Sponsor: Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN).  AACC has endorsed the measure.

Senate:
S.11, “The Fiscal Sustainability Act of 2013,” would streamline the Medicare program and reduce its overall expenditures.  Included in the bill is a recommendation to establish a 20 percent copayment for all services, including clinical laboratory testing.  Sponsors: Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) and Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TX).  AACC opposes a laboratory copayment. 

S.232, “Medical Device Access and Innovation Protection Act,” would repeal the 2.3 percent excise tax on medical device manufacturers that took effect on January 1, 2013, as part of health care reform.  Sponsor: Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT).  AACC has endorsed the measure.