ACLA: American Clinical Laboratory Association

ACLA and Lab Community Write Letter to Secretary Sebelius Communicating the Need for Regulatory Balance in Genetic and Molecular Testing (April 29, 2009) Letter; Press Release

ACLA Comments to Senate Finance Committee on Health Care Coverage Proposal (May 20, 2009); ACLA Comments on Financing Health Reform (May 27, 2009)

ACLA Health Reform Goals and Proposed Action; ACLA Proposal to Promote Wellness and Prevention

Letter of Support to Congresswoman Wasserman Szhultz for her Bill (March 31, 2009)

Sample Letter to Your Member of Congress Asking Them to Co-Sponsor the Date of Service Bill HR 1699

Implications of Certain Arrangements for Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization (FISH) Testing, March 26, 2009

ACLA Supports "Patient Access to Critical Lab Tests Act"-- ACLA Press Release; Congressman Altmire's Release

ACLA Recommends OIG & CMS Withdraw EHR Safe Harbor (March 19, 2009)

ACLA Nominations for Health IT Committees (March 17, 2009): Alan Mertz; Ken McCaslin

ACLA's Principles for Health Reform (March 13, 2009)

Editorial From Nature-Biotechnology on Genentech's Citizen Petition (March 12, 2009)

Press Release: Upcoming World Kidney Day Underscores Role of Low-Cost Lab Tests in Combating High-Cost Kidney Disease (March 10, 2009)

The Clinical Laboratory Industry's Advocate

The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) is the clinical laboratory industry's leading advocate providing effective communication with Congress, regulatory bodies, other health care organizations and the public.

A not-for-profit association, ACLA represents the nation's leading national and regional clinical laboratories on key issues of common concern, including federal and state government reimbursement and regulatory policies. We have established relationships with key entities and individuals throughout government with responsibility for regulation of the clinical laboratory industry and payment for laboratory services. Find out more...

ACLA Annual Meeting

PLease Join us for ACLA's 12th

Annual Meeting:

Laboratory Medicine in the New Health Care Era

April 22-23, 2010

The Grand Hyatt Hotel

1000 H Street, NW

Washington, DC

202-582-1234 OR 800-233-1234

Flyer and Registration Form

Results for Life

Prevention, Lab Tests, and Health Reform: What’s the Score?

Special Focus:

New Lewin Group Report, “The Value of Laboratory Screening and Diagnostic Tests for Prevention and Health Care Improvement”

NEW: Associate Membership

ACLA is pleased to announce a new Associate Membership category that will, for the first time, allow health care related companies and organizations including diagnostic manufacturers, non-profits, consultants, investment firms, law firms, information technology, billing firms, and others who work with the laboratory industry* to benefit from many of ACLA’s advocacy, education, and collaborative programs as well as meet with the leaders of ACLA member companies.

-- Welcome Letter
-- Benefits
-- Eligibility and Dues
-- Application

ACLA is the voice for clinical laboratories, and an effective advocate before federal and state goverment. Click here to read about ACLA's remarkable record of achievement on behalf of the laboratory industry.

President's Message

Welcome to the ACLA website. We strive to keep this site continually updated with the latest information on ACLA advocacy activities, position papers, and meetings.

ACLA’s top goals for 2009 include educating policymakers on the tremendous value of laboratory services, ensuring adequate reimbursement for these services, and advocating for a regulatory environment that both fosters the highest safety and quality while promoting innovation.

Within these goals are many specific campaigns including CPI updates, copays, MUE’s, date of services rules, and supporting sensible regulation of innovative new genetic and molecular tests.

The new administration and Congress have ushered in “change” in Washington that could increase the role of government in health care, perhaps even resulting in major health care reform. ACLA will take the lead in promoting the value of laboratory services in any such reform.

We are also proud of the “Results for Life” campaign which is devoted entirely to promoting the value of laboratory services. The campaign is directed and supported by ACLA members as well as diagnostic manufacturers, professional groups and others. More information can be found at www.labresultsforlife.org

ACLA has grown exponentially in the past few years, and today truly represents the breadth and diversity of the laboratory industry. In February this year, we were proud to announce four new ACLA members – Axial Biotech, Berkeley HeartLab Inc., Diagnocure Inc., and Theranostics Health. I expect more new members in the coming months.

If your laboratory is not an ACLA member, and would like to be, I encourage you to contact me directly to learn more about ACLA’s programs and benefits (amertz@clinical-labs.org or at 202-637-9466).

Also, ACLA has established a new “ACLA Associate Member” program for non-laboratory health care companies and organizations such as diagnostic manufactures, IT firms, law firms, consulting firms, and others. For more information about Associate Membership, please contact me or Kimberly Bernet (kbernet@clinical-labs.org or 202-637-9466).

Again, welcome to our website!

Alan Mertz

President