The Latest in ASTCT Advocacy: May 2025
ASTCT Submits Recommendations to OMB to Improve Access to Stem Cell and Cellular Therapies
ASTCT recently submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in response to its Request for Information on deregulation. The letter outlines two key recommendations to eliminate unnecessary administrative hurdles that delay patient care and strain the health care delivery system.
1) Simplify Medicaid provider enrollment requirements
ASTCT recommends requiring state Medicaid programs to accept active Medicare enrollment in place of duplicative, state-specific enrollment processes.
2) Support permanent use of telehealth for all Medicare beneficiaries
ASTCT urges CMS to make pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities permanent. This includes eliminating geographic and originating site restrictions and removing the requirement for providers to list their home addresses on public forms.
These proposals reflect ASTCT’s continued commitment to ensuring patients receive timely, equitable access to lifesaving therapies while reducing administrative burdens on providers.
ASTCT Submits Comments to Senate Appropriations Committee on NIH Funding
ASTCT recently submitted public comments to the Senate Appropriations Committee in response to its hearing, “Biomedical Research: Keeping America’s Edge in Innovation.” The letter reinforces ASTCT’s strong support for sustained federal investment in biomedical research and outlines the critical importance of preserving National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding.
Key points from the letter include:
- Protecting Indirect Costs: Cuts to facilities and administrative support would severely impact research infrastructure and staffing.
- Sustaining Clinical Trials: NIH-funded trials are often the only treatment pathway for patients with high-risk or rare conditions.
- Economic Impact: NIH funding generated nearly $93 billion in economic activity in FY 2023, reinforcing its public value.
The comments reaffirm ASTCT’s commitment to protecting the research infrastructure necessary to advance life-saving therapies in hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy.
Upcoming Policy and Regulatory Webinars
HSCT Billing Guide Webinar | July
Get a first look at the brand new HSCT Billing Guide prepared by ASTCT's Administrators SIG in partnership with NMDP. The guide provides information on how to apply the latest billing guidance for stem cell transplant in your center.
FACT Accreditation in the Community Provider Setting
Thursday, August 21 | 12:00 p.m. ET
Join us for an in-depth discussion on the value of FACT accreditation in community provider settings, with insights tailored for payers, industry professionals and care teams. This webinar will explore how accreditation supports quality assurance programs and advances patient access to cellular therapies.
Hill Day 2025: Mark Your Calendars
ASTCT will host its 2025 Hill Day on September 9–10 in Washington, D.C. This annual event brings together transplant and cellular therapy community members to advocate for key policy priorities on Capitol Hill.
The experience kicks off on September 9 with a comprehensive preparation session led by ASTCT’s Committee on Government Relations (GR) and our Government Relations Director. This briefing will equip you with the knowledge and messaging you need to engage with policymakers effectively.
On September 10, participants will meet with members from both House and Senate offices from their home districts and states to discuss key policy priorities. We anticipate that the 2025 agenda will focus on:
- NIH Funding
- Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act
- Alleviating Barriers to Caregivers Act
- C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program*
*Partnering with NMPD, ASTCT is advocating for the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, which supports more than $30 million in federal funding to maintain and expand access to life-saving bone marrow and blood cell transplants. The program ensures patients with blood cancers and disorders can find matched donors and receive timely treatment.