Advocacy - Comment Letter
Dear Representative Ross,
The Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) endorses the Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2024, which will address the shortage of clinical laboratory professionals that is impacting diagnostic access and healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities across the United States.
The national shortage of medical laboratory personnel has significant implications for patient care and has led to increased workloads and stress for current staff, raising risks of errors and delays in test results. In rural and underserved areas, where staffing gaps are more pronounced, some laboratories face temporary closures due to a lack of personnel, limiting patient access to timely and essential diagnostic care. The combination of high demand, a declining workforce, and limited graduates from training programs underscores the need for comprehensive solutions.
The inclusion of medical laboratory professionals in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) to prioritize recruitment and placement in shortage areas will directly address critical staffing needs. Without access to laboratory services, rural and disadvantaged regions face limitations in preventive and diagnostic care, impacting overall health outcomes. Additionally, loan repayment incentives for medical laboratory personnel will alleviate financial burdens for new professionals, supporting a sustainable workforce by encouraging recent graduates to enter and remain in laboratory professions. This initiative will reduce diagnostic delays and support better patient outcomes.
The Act also provides funding for educational programs, particularly for institutions prioritizing culturally competent care and interprofessional collaboration. By supporting educational pathways for underrepresented groups, this legislation promotes a diverse, well-prepared laboratory workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of modern healthcare. This investment is critical to maintaining a robust pipeline of skilled laboratory personnel across healthcare settings nationwide.
ADLM is a global scientific and medical professional organization dedicated to laboratory medicine and its application to healthcare. ADLM represents over 50,000 clinical laboratory professionals, physicians, research scientists, and business leaders worldwide, focusing on advancing clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry, translational medicine, lab management, and other areas of laboratory science. Since 1948, ADLM has promoted the collective interests of laboratory professionals, providing programs that support scientific collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
If you have any questions, please email Vince Stine, PhD, Senior Director of Government and Global Affairs, at [email protected], or Evan Fortman, MPA, Manager, Government Affairs at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Anthony A. Killeen, MD, MSc, PhD
President, ADLM