ASCLS is proud to work with American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Association of Genetic Technologists (AGT), American Medical Technologists (AMT), the National Society for Histotechnology (NSH), and the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists-USA (PAMET-USA) on the Legislative Symposium each year.

Through this ASCLS tradition that originated in 1989, the members of these organizations meet with their representatives and senators on Capitol Hill as a unified front on behalf of our profession. Each year these leading organizations urge their members and leaders to come to Washington to provide a visible and informed voice, and make our concerns known inside Congress.

The Legislative Symposium provides a great education on the how-tos of lobbying. Attendees are coached on presentation techniques so they can effectively talk to their congressional representatives during their appointments. They are well received in the congressional offices. Attendees return home from Washington with first-hand knowledge of the political system in action and confidence that they make a difference.

The 2023 Legislative Symposium is scheduled for October 23-24, 2023 at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town in Alexandria, VA. Each attendee will receive pre-meeting emails describing the issues to be discussed with their congressional representatives as well as extensive information to be left with each office.

Wondering what the Legislative Symposium is like?

Laboratory professionals at all stages of their careers attend the Legislative Symposium. Programming is built to accommodate everyone’s experiences, from first-time attendees to those who know all the secret passages to get around The Hill. Here are views of recent Symposiums.

Registration is open to members of ASCLS, ASCP, CLMA, AMT, AGT, NSH, and PAMET-USA. The symposium is available for virtual attendees who will not be able to travel to Alexandria/Washington, DC.

Deadline In-Person Attendance Virtual Attendance
Early Bird (Extended to 9/15/2023) $290 $95
Regular (until 10/16/2023) $340 $145
Late/Onsite $390 $195

 

Registration is Open – Click Here to Register

Health and Safety

COVID and other infectious diseases have the potential to evolve and cause disruptions to normal activities due to personal and public health concerns. ASCLS, first and foremost, has a responsibility to provide safe learning environments for its meeting attendees. As an association of and for healthcare professionals, attendees at our live, face-to-face meetings are expected to exercise sound and ethical professional judgement to protect the health of those around them, which includes proper vaccinations and other measures that limit the spread of infectious diseases like masking and social distancing. Those who are experiencing symptoms should not attend live sessions and should self-quarantine from other attendees.

All Symposium events will take place at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town, located in historic Alexandria, Virginia; convenient to King Street shops and restaurants, Reagan National Airport, and the King Street Metro stop (Blue and Yellow Lines). A block of rooms has been set aside for Legislative Symposium attendees. Accommodations are $193 for single or double rooms, plus any additional applicable taxes. The cut-off for reservations in this block is Thursday, September 28, 2023, or until the supply lasts.

Sample Agenda

The final agenda and handouts will be available one week prior to the Symposium.

MONDAY, October 23, 2023
7:30 am – 8:00 am REGISTRATION AND CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:00 am – 8:15 am Welcome from the Partners
8:15 am – 8:30 am Meeting Overview
8:30 am – 9:15 am Overview of the Political Environment in Washington
9:15 am – 10:00am Issue Brief #1
10:00 am – 10:15 am BREAK
10:15 am– 11:15 am Issue Brief #1 Continued
11:15 am – 12:00 pm Issue Brief #2
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Networking Lunch
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm Preparing for Congressional Visits

  • Review of Issues, Leave Behinds and “Talking Points”
  • Walk Through Feedback on Visits
  • How Congressional Offices Work
  • How Legislative Staff View Your Visit
  • How to Communicate Your Message Effectively
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm Issue Brief #3
3:00 pm – 3:45 pm Advocacy Perspectives Outside the Laboratory Profession
3:45 pm – 4:15 pm BREAK
4:15 pm – 5:00 pm Congressional Update
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm Practicing Your Message/Making a Difference

  • Developing your personal advocacy message
  • Breakouts and Role-Playing
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm RECEPTION
TUESDAY, October 24, 2023
6:30 am – 8:30 am Breakfast
8:00 am Begin traveling to Capitol Hill Appointments (on your own)

Attendees will earn 6 contact hours for participating in the 2023 Legislative Symposium.

Session Description: The Laboratory Legislative Symposium brings laboratory professionals and stakeholders together to discuss current legislative and regulatory issues impacting medical laboratory practice. This session will inform the learner of current or potential legislation and federal regulations that can impact the laboratory and the steps they can take to communicate their message and influence member of congress and other federal decision-makers.

General Objectives

  • Discuss current and proposed federal legislation, and recently passed laws that impact clinical laboratories, including reimbursement for diagnostic testing and federal oversight of laboratory developed tests.
  • Review ways laboratory professionals can most effectively voice their concerns and impact the legislative process.
  • Review regulations that effect current and future practice in clinical laboratories.
  • Recognize the effects changing standards might affect clinical laboratories.
  • Explain how increasing demand for more testing and more complex testing will outpace the small increases in graduates from current training programs over the coming decade.

Level of Instruction: Intermediate

ASCLS is an approved provider of continuing education by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® program. P.A.C.E. is accepted by the Board of Certification (BOC) Credential Maintenance Program and all licensing states, including California and Florida.