Glenn George, DSc., MBA, FACSc, MLS(ASCP)
As we step into 2025, I can’t help but reflect on the power of unity within our profession. Clinical laboratory professionals, like all healthcare providers, face unique challenges—but through advocacy and collaboration, we can transform those challenges into opportunities.
As I think about some of the top developments in our space, introducing the Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act (H.R. 9849) last year marked a pivotal moment for our profession. This legislation, which seeks to address the shortage of qualified laboratory professionals by expanding educational opportunities and offering loan repayment incentives through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), embodies the essence of advocating for meaningful change.
But where do you fit into this picture? How can we, as individuals, amplify our collective voice?
The Answer Lies in Connection
Becoming a member of organizations like the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) is the first step in making a tangible difference. Together, we work to inform lawmakers, support champions of laboratory medicine, and ensure that Capitol Hill hears the critical issues affecting our field. It is important to note that advocacy isn’t just about showing up for meetings with congressional staff—it’s about demonstrating the indispensable value we bring to healthcare. Every test we perform directly impacts patient care, yet many overlook or fail to understand the importance of our work. By engaging in advocacy efforts through ASCLS, you can help bridge this gap, ensuring that clinical laboratory professionals are acknowledged and supported.
Why H.R. 9849 Matters
Think about the challenges we face daily:
- Burnout from understaffed labs
- Limited opportunities for students to enter the field due to restricted program capacity
- A lack of financial incentives to work in underserved communities
H.R. 9849 addresses these issues head-on. By providing grants to expand MLT and MLS program enrollment and including our profession in the National Health Service Corps program, the bill ensures a more robust pipeline of laboratory professionals and greater access to diagnostic services in underserved areas. Imagine the possibilities: loan repayment assistance for working in rural communities, increased salaries due to a reduced workforce shortage, and recognition as essential contributors to healthcare. These aren’t distant dreams but achievable goals when we stand united.
Your Membership = Your Power
When you join ASCLS, you’re not just paying dues—you’re investing in the future of our profession. Advocacy campaigns, the annual Labvocate Symposium, and direct connections with policymakers require resources. Every member strengthens our collective influence, making it harder for legislators to ignore the needs of our field. Consider attending the Labvocate Symposium this year, October 20-21, 2025, in Old Town Alexandria. This immersive experience can equip you with the tools and confidence to engage with lawmakers, sharing your expertise and the real-world impact of legislative decisions on clinical laboratories. Your voice matters more than you realize, and ASCLS is here to amplify it.
Let’s Make 2025 the Year of Progress
The start of a new year is the perfect time to recommit to our shared goals. Whether renewing your membership or joining for the first time, know that your participation makes a difference. Together, we can ensure that bills like H.R. 9849 gain the momentum needed to become law, ultimately benefiting us, our patients, and the communities we serve.
Let’s secure our place at the table and show the world that clinical laboratory professionals are not just essential—we’re irreplaceable.
Here’s to a year of advocacy, growth, and progress!