Labvocate Ambassadors are medical laboratory professions who have agreed to actively engage with their members of Congress by:
- educating Congress about the roles of a medical laboratory professional
- informing Congress on legislative issues impacting medical laboratory services
- serving as a trusted, reliable resource for information related to medical laboratory concerns
- elevating awareness of ASCLS and the medical laboratory profession, and
- developing close relationships with Members of Congress and their staffs.
Congressional advocacy centers on relationship building and the best messengers on legislative issues are the constituents that lawmakers are elected to serve. Members of Congress rely on constituent outreach to guide their positions and they value your expertise in the policymaking process. You have a story to tell, and your members of Congress want to hear from you. The Ambassador program empowers medical laboratory professionals to serve as visible, vocal advocates for the clinical laboratory profession. Ambassadors serve as key local contacts to federal lawmakers, advancing the profession’s advocacy agenda and increasing awareness of workforce needs, reimbursement issues, and the value of laboratory professionals.
The goals of the Labvocate Ambassador program are to: build a national network of clinical laboratory professionals serving as grassroots leaders, strengthen relationships between constituents and Members of Congress; advance medical laboratory professional federal advocacy priorities; and, increase awareness of the critical role medical laboratory professionals play in our healthcare system.
Role of Ambassadors
- Represent the profession in their congressional district
- Engage Members of Congress through emails, meetings, and site visits.
- Share local stories and data that illustrate national policy issues.
- Support grassroots campaigns by activating local colleagues.
- Participate in Labvocate Advocacy Days and briefings.
The Ambassador program is open to medical laboratory professionals from all congressional districts with a target of geographic and professional diversity (hospital labs, public health, academia, etc.).
Training and Support
- Virtual onboarding and orientation.
- Regular policy updates and action alerts.
- Toolkit with issue briefs, talking points, templates.
- Coaching and mentorship from ASCLS Government Affairs Committee.
Expectations and Recognition
- Monthly: Review updates and take action on federal alerts.
- Quarterly: Communicate with congressional office.
- Annually: Participate in ASCLS Advocacy Day.
- Ongoing: Share stories, activate peers, and report engagement.
- Recognition through awards and public spotlights.
Key Issues
- Workforce development funding and pipeline expansion.
- Proper classification of lab professionals in federal employment.
- Reimbursement and regulatory modernization (e.g., CLIA).
- Investment in education and public health infrastructure.
- Licensure protection and recognition at the federal level.
Are you interested in becoming an ASCLS Advocacy Ambassador? Complete the form below. Please provide details on why you’re interested in joining the program, the issues you are most passionate about, and your comfort level for participation.