Purpose

To provide strategic direction to the Board of Directors regarding diagnostics policy and to advance public policies and federal investments to promote and protect appropriate access to infectious diseases diagnostics (including reimbursement, regulation and other areas) and spur the development of new diagnostics where unmet need exists.

Responsibilities

• Use public policy and advocacy to advance research and development of infectious diseases diagnostics and their appropriate integration into clinical care.
• Provide education on new developments in diagnostics, the appropriate use and interpretation of their results, and their use in clinical care to optimize patient care outcomes.
• Serve as a point of contact for diagnostics with Congress and relevant federal agencies, non-government organizations, and international entities.
• Make recommendations to the Board of Directors to advance ID diagnostics policy objectives.
• Develop new policy proposals as needed (e.g. legislative, funding, or regulatory proposals) to advance IDSA diagnostics objectives.
• Review federal diagnostics policy proposals and develop IDSA responses for review by IDSA leadership.
• Develop white papers and other documents as appropriate to define ID diagnostics challenges and opportunities and raise awareness among IDSA members, policymakers, media and other stakeholders.
• When requested, serve as media spokespeople on diagnostics policy issues, as allowable by members’ employers and in accordance with individual members’ areas of expertise.
• A commitment to ensuring that principles of inclusion, diversity, access and equity are applied throughout IDSA governance.

Ideal Qualifications

Members should have expertise in at least one aspect of ID diagnostics including clinical microbiology, transplant ID and other sub-specialties of ID where diagnostics are heavily utilized, community practice, diagnostics research, AMR, stewardship, and public health.

Number of Members

Minimum of 12

Composition

Members shall include a Chair, Vice Chair and at least 12 at-large members. HIVMA shall assign a voting representative. PIDS and SHEA shall assign a non-voting, liaison member. A non-voting industry advisor is also assigned to this committee.

Meeting Frequency

One in-person meeting at IDWeek. Teleconferences to be held roughly quarterly, as needed, for a total of 3-5 meetings per year. Committee members will be asked to respond to email communications on a regular or as needed basis to provide input on emerging diagnostics issues and to help draft or provide feedback on draft IDSA diagnostics policy documents. Committee members may also be asked to represent IDSA at meetings with policymakers or other stakeholders.

Estimated Time Commitment

1-2 hours per month; additional time may be required if member agrees to lead a project (e.g. drafting a white paper) or to represent IDSA at an external meeting.

Method of Appointment

The members shall be appointed by the Board of Directors with input from the President-elect in consultation with the CEO, committee chair, and staff liaison. Appointments will consider the need for a balance of individual areas of diagnostics expertise.

Term of Office

The Chair and Vice Chair shall serve for two years. Reappointment for one additional, consecutive, one-year term is permissible. Members shall serve three-year terms with no option for consecutive reappointment.

Accountability

Reports to Board of Directors

Staff Liaison

Director, Science and Research Policy