The Latest in ASTCT Advocacy: October 2026
Congress Prepares for the Lame Duck Session
With the much-anticipated midterm elections just a day away, our attention will soon be turned to the lame duck session—the weeks between a November election and when a new Congress convenes in early January. Lame-duck periods are often light on substance with spotty attendance, but Congress’ remaining to-do list makes this one high stakes for both parties.
CMS Updates Coverage Criteria for AuSCT for MM
CMS recently issued a revised coverage decision for Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (AuSCT) for Multiple Myeloma (MM) to cover patients across any International Staging System (ISS) stage (including Stage I). ASTCT wishes to thank everyone who participated in the member survey on this proposed analysis in August. Read more about ASTCT’s advocacy around this issue in an upcoming communication.
ASTCT Issues MS-DRG Classification Change Request
ASTCT recently responded to CMS’ annual MS-DRG classification change requests by recommending that CMS create a new MS-DRG for gene therapies, grouping together one-time (ex vivo products and in vivo products) gene therapies.
ASTCT Responds to HHS Childhood Vaccine Schedule Letter
In late August, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) released an RFI, Categories Used in Federal Vaccine Recommendations and the Role of Shared Decision-Making, seeking input on the categories within the current childhood vaccine schedule.
The RFI specifically sought input on whether HHS should add categories beyond the existing categories, “Routine,” “Risk-Based,” and “Shared Decision-Making" to include “Recommended, But Not During Infancy,” “Recommended With Qualification,” and “Shared Clinical Decision-Making With Qualification."
ASTCT’s letter opposes changes to the current structure of decision categories and emphasizes the critical role that herd immunity has for our patients.
ASTCT Responds to NIH RFI on Reporting Peer Review Outcomes
In early October, ASTCT responded to NIH’s proposal to withhold numerical peer review scores and use impact categories to score grant applications. ASTCT’s letter supports including scores in reporting outcomes and includes questions seeking clarity on the proposed impact categories.
ASTCT on Hill Day
In September, ASTCT members from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with over 50 Congressional offices to advocate for:
- Increased NIH funding to at least $51.3 billion in FY27 to continue lifesaving biomedical research.
- Protecting the Uniform Guidance for awarding federally funded biomedical research.
- Reauthorize the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program.
ASTCT’s Hill Day video captures the energy and momentum that ASTCT brought to the Hill in September, as well as the critical role we have in advocating for research and the patients that we serve.
Keep the Momentum Going: Send a Letter to Congress
Use our letter template to tell your representatives why access to transplantation and cellular therapies matter. Every message strengthens our voice.
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Tell Congress to Protect the Federal Grant Process
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently released a proposed rule, "Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance," that would change how federal agencies review and oversee grant awards. OMB’s proposal would specifically revise the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) — the federal government framework for administering grants — to a binding rule that gives political appointees more authority in grantmaking decisions. Of specific concern to the health and science communities is OMB’s proposal to limit peer review's role in funding, give political appointees more authority in reviewing and terminating existing grants, limit international collaboration, and restrict conference travel and journal fees with grant funds.
This proposal, if implemented, would have profound effects on NIH grantmaking, implementation, and oversight, which would undermine the stability, rigor and scientific integrity of research in the United States and beyond. Read more on the specifics of this proposal.
How to Respond: Contact Your Congressional Representatives
While the OMB is no longer accepting comments on its proposal, members of Congress can determine whether to fund implementation of a rule once finalized. Communicating concerns with the OMB’s Uniform Guidance proposal to Congress is now critical.
Use ASTCT’s constituent letter to contact your members of Congress about this issue. You can send the letter as drafted or customize it to illustrate how this proposal would specifically affect your work and your patients.
Learn more about ASTCT Payer and Government Relations activities, and how you can get involved, on ASTCT’s Advocacy webpage or contact Molly Ford, ASTCT’s Director of Government and Payer Relations.