ACLA Affirms Laboratories’ Commitment to Patient Access to COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing; Reflects on Industry Response as Formal Public Health Emergency Ends
Washington, D.C. – The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) today issued the following statement as the federal government’s formal declaration of a Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 ends:
“Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, ACLA member laboratories led the way developing, scaling, and performing hundreds of millions of tests for SARS-CoV-2 in communities in every state across the country, serving as an essential element of the nation’s health infrastructure, supporting the U.S. response to the pandemic. ACLA is grateful for the expertise and tireless dedication of our nation’s laboratory professionals.
Though the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency may be officially ending today, the need for quality SARS-CoV-2 testing remains. ACLA members will continue to provide patients and clinicians throughout the country with robust access to testing services, including molecular laboratory testing, which is the gold standard for detection of the virus. ACLA encourages public and private insurers to provide broad coverage for testing now and throughout any potential surges of the virus we may face in the future.
As Congress works to reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) this year, ACLA – informed by the experiences and expertise of its members – is engaging with policymakers to advocate for meaningful improvements to the nation’s health emergency preparedness and response efforts, ensuring enhanced readiness to provide quality testing for future pathogens of concern.”
Read more about ACLA’s efforts supporting public health preparedness and infrastructure here.
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The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) is the national trade association representing leading laboratories that deliver essential diagnostic health information to patients and providers by advocating for policies that expand access to the highest quality clinical laboratory services, improve patient outcomes, and advance the next generation of personalized care.
