ADLM continued advocating for federal investment in laboratory test harmonization as healthcare becomes increasingly dependent on interoperable clinical data and data-driven technologies. Results for the same laboratory test can vary across methods, instruments, and reporting systems, creating challenges for clinical interpretation and limiting the ability to compare data across healthcare settings.
For fiscal year 2027, ADLM requested an additional $7.2 million, for $9.2 million in total funding, for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Clinical Standardization Programs. In April, an ADLM-led coalition urged congressional appropriators to support the increase so CDC can expand work to improve the consistency and comparability of laboratory results.
The coalition also highlighted the connection between harmonization and emerging healthcare technology. Artificial intelligence and clinical decision support tools depend on reliable data that can be interpreted consistently across institutions and testing platforms. ADLM’s newly published AI policy report similarly identifies harmonized laboratory data and stronger interoperability as important components of trustworthy and scalable clinical AI.
ADLM will continue working with Congress and coalition partners to support CDC’s standardization programs and strengthen the laboratory data infrastructure used for patient care, public health, research, interoperability, and emerging technologies.