The College of American Pathologists (CAP) recently responded to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee request for information on the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA).
In a March 29 letter to the HELP committee, the CAP called for establishment of minimum national data reporting requirements, with clinical laboratories being required to report only to the state in which they are located. Alternatively, the federal government could set up a national data hub during public health emergencies that would distribute information in a standardized format. Additionally, the CAP wrote that federal funding should be available to laboratories to purchase or enhance their laboratory information systems.
Other CAP recommendations included strengthening the supply chain and clarifying that clinical laboratory testing capacity is a critical part of the supply chain; establishing a mechanism for adequate coverage and reimbursement of tests during a public health emergency; and providing funding to enhance the laboratory workforce.
In an advocacy update published April 4, the CAP wrote that it would continue to work with the HELP Committee on this legislation.
Sources:
https://www.cap.org/advocacy/latest-news-and-practice-data/april-4-2023#story4
https://documents.cap.org/documents/HELP-PAHPA-RFI_CAP-Comments-CGPA-Approved-032823-1.pdf
