On February 22, an AACC-led coalition sent a letter to House and Senate appropriators urging Congress to provide funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop more accurate pediatric reference intervals (PRIs). The letter was co-signed by 33 major organizations, including several medical device manufacturers and pediatric organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and Children’s Hospital Association.

AACC has been at the forefront of efforts to improve PRIs. The association secured report language in the fiscal year (FY) 2020 budget agreement requesting that CDC submit a plan to Congress for improving PRIs. The agency stated it would need $10 million annually to obtain the specimens and conduct the required studies to develop better PRIs. Congress encouraged CDC in its FY22 spending package to begin work on this initiative but did not provide the additional funding.

AACC will continue to work with its allies in Congress and the healthcare community to advance this initiative. The association is currently meeting with key congressional offices to gain funding for improving PRIs in the FY 2024 budget.