Health Policy & Advocacy
ASPHO is committed to advocating and achieving one voice for pediatric hematology/oncology. The Society works in partnership with appropriate organizations to advance its advocacy priorities related to childhood cancer and blood disorders to ensure individuals of all backgrounds receive necessary care.
- Ensure adequate federal funding for research, surveillance and other legislation
- Improve access to drugs, devices and biologics for children and adolescents
- Promote adequate payment for care of children by subspecialists in pediatric hematology/oncology to support needed access and workforce
Be an #ASPHOAdvocate
Contact Your Representative Contact Your Senators
Contact your legislators to support the subspecialty community, and follow ASPHO on Bluesky, Facebook, and X for important updates on issues of importance to the medical and scientific community. When posting about advocacy, we encourage you to include #ASPHOadvocates.
Advocating for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Patients - Talking Points on NIH and Medicaid
As a result of recent actions related to funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Medicaid, there could be disruptions to both research that could help to find better treatments and cures for pediatric hematology/oncology patients as well access to necessary care. To fulfill the mission of ASPHO in supporting and empowering the pediatric hematology/oncology community, these talking points are designed to assist subspecialists in advocating for the needs of their patients and to protect programs that serve to move the care of pediatric patients forward.
Advocating for Research and NIH Funding
ASPHO Bill Tracker
Keep track of movement on ASPHO’s priority legislation, including funding for the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act, the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act and the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act . These are bills of importance to ASPHO concerning pediatric hematology/oncology and that we continue to monitor.
Visit ASPHO’s Legislative Tracking Chart to see a list of bills that ASPHO is monitoring.
Advocacy Brief
The Advocacy Brief is a quarterly e-newsletter informing members about legislative and regulatory issues that have an impact on the pediatric hematology/oncology profession and the patients we serve.
2024 Issues: March; June; September; December
2023 Issues: March; June; September; December
2022 Issues: March; June; September; December
Sign-On Letters
ASPHO participates in sign-on letters which are policy-oriented letters sent to members of Congress, congressional committees, or federal agencies expressing the viewpoint of the signatories. By participating in sign-on letters, ASPHO represents the views of the organization and its members on policy-related issues.
ASPHO Joins Sickle Cell Disease Community to Protect Medicaid (Senate, House)
ASPHO Sends Letter to Congress Urging Continued Funding for NIH
ASPHO Continues to Voice Support for the Medicaid Program
Continued Funding for NIH, NCI, and Other Pediatric Cancer Research Programs Requested (Senate, House)
Request to Fully Fund Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (Senate, House)
Continued Support for Pediatric Cancer Research Among ASPHO Priorities for 119th Congress
ASPHO Opposes Changes or Funding Cuts to Medicaid Program
ASPHO Joins AAP in Support of the Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act of 2025
ASPHO Continues Support of Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act
ASPHO Joins Alliance for Childhood Cancer in Endorsing Give Kids a Chance Act 2025
ASPHO Signs onto Alliance for Childhood Cancer Letter Outlining End-of-Year Legislative Priorities
ASPHO Endorses the Bolstering Research and Innovation Now (BRAIN) Act
ASPHO Joins ASH in Advocating for Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act Passage
Senate Introduces Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act, ASPHO Endorses Bill
ASPHO Joins Alliance for Childhood Cancer in Commenting on Drug Shortage Draft Senate Bill
Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act Supported by ASPHO
ASPHO Joins AAP in Supporting Funding for Gun Violence Prevention Research
Federal Funding for the Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program Requested (House) (Senate)
Advocating for Reproductive Services for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Patients
Since the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the integrity of the physician-patient relationship has been undermined and the ability of pediatric hematologists/oncologists to provide medically appropriate, patient-centered, and high-quality health care, including the right to a safe abortion has been limited. To fulfil the mission of ASPHO in supporting and empowering the pediatric hematology/oncology community, these talking points are designed to assist subspecialists in advocating for the needs of their patients and to protect the physician-patient relationship where restrictive policies are being proposed.
Resources on Telehealth
The end of the COVID-19 public health emergency resulted in changes to many of the federal and state telehealth flexibilities that had been put in place. Please view updated Medicare and Medicaid guidance on coverage and payment for telehealth:
Health and Human Services Telehealth Policy Changes After COVID-19
Medicaid Guidance on Telehealth
Coalitions
Many times, the best way to make an impact with a broad audience is to partner with a coalition that can help advance our priority issues. ASPHO belongs to the Alliance for Childhood Cancer and also the Sickle Cell Disease Coalition, the Emergency Department Sickle Cell Care Coalition, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act Letter of Support November