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AHA supports efforts to expand the types of educational degrees that would be eligible under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments so as to increase the number of qualified laboratory testing personnel serving the nation’s hospitals and health systems, AHA told the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today as the agency considers updating certain CLIA requirements. “The nation’s medical laboratory professionals play a critical role in health care,” wrote AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels. “However, clinical laboratories are facing a critical and growing shortage of qualified laboratory personnel. This shortage hampers the ability of clinical laboratories to meet patient testing demands, which may pose problems for patient access to appropriate care.” AHA also offered feedback on potential changes to CLIA requirements related to proficiency testing referral, histocompatibility and fees.