ASH’s advocacy is forging ahead following the start of the 119th Congress in January of this year. Led by members of ASH’s Committees on Government Affairs and Practice, advocates have worked to overcome significant obstacles, including delayed funding for research and public health programs and executive actions that have adversely affected research and patient care.

In late February, members of the Committee on Government Affairs, which leads the Society’s advocacy efforts, met with lawmakers to advocate for biomedical research funding, highlighting how continued uncertainty over funding and the confusion caused by multiple executive actions are affecting hematology research at institutions throughout the U.S. Committee members noted the specific impact these barriers are having on early-career investigators and the lasting effects they will have on the discovery and development of treatments for hematologic diseases.

In late April, the Committee on Practice, which works to support the specific needs of practicing physicians, met with dozens of lawmakers’ offices to advocate for policies that affect doctors and patients, including ensuring that individuals who receive Medicaid coverage have continued access to care. Committee members also highlighted the need to permanently extend telehealth flexibilities that are currently set to expire on September 30, 2025, as well as to eliminate the cut in Medicare payments to physicians that went into effect at the beginning of 2025.

Members of both committees also urged Congress to support the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act, which was reintroduced in the Senate in February. This bipartisan legislation, which has been supported by ASH for several years, aims to ensure that individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) have better access to comprehensive, high-quality outpatient care — including recommended clinical, mental health, ancillary, and support services — by allowing states to establish Medicaid Health Home programs with SCD as the single qualifying condition for eligibility.

ASH advocacy efforts are ongoing and will continue throughout the remainder of 2025 and beyond, but we need your help to make sure that the needs of hematology researchers, physicians, and patients are heard by every member of the House and Senate. All ASH members can participate in the Society’s advocacy efforts by joining the Grassroots Network to receive regular updates and information about how to contact their members of Congress. Additionally, ASH’s Government Relations and Practice Department is available to help set up meetings with congressional staff — either virtually or in-person in Washington, DC, or in a legislator’s state or district office.

ASH is looking for members interested in meeting with elected officials in their state or district to expand the Society’s advocacy during continued research and funding uncertainty. ASH staff can also provide the information needed to serve as an effective advocate, including fact sheets and relevant talking points. Additionally, if you have personal connections with members of Congress or the administration, please reach out to inform ASH staff. For more information about all the ways to become involved in ASH’s advocacy efforts, visit hematology.org/advocacy.

ASH members can also participate in the ASH Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI), a two-day workshop on policy and advocacy that provides the opportunity to meet with one’s elected officials and advocate for issues affecting hematology in Washington. The 2025 ALI will be held in person at ASH Headquarters in Washington, DC, on September 8-9, 2025, with nominations for the 2025 ALI open now through May 15, 2025. For more information, visit the ALI website at hematology.org/advocacy/ali or email Tracy Rhoades, ASH’s senior manager of legislative advocacy, at troades@hematology.org.