I would like to thank everyone associated with ASCLS-IN for the recent opportunity to attend the Legislative Symposium.

There were two legislative issues reviewed at the March 23-24, 2009 ASCLS/CLMA/ASCP/AMT Legislative Symposium in Washington DC . The two laboratory issues discussed during the Monday, 03/23/2009, sessions were:

§        Modernizing the Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Fee Schedule

§        The Laboratory Personnel Shortage

On Tuesday, 03/24/2009, attendees traveled to Capital Hill to provide a visible and informed voice and share health care concerns with Congress. It was my pleasure to be a delegate (lobbyist) for the Indiana Chapter of the American Society for Laboratory Scientists (ASCLS-IN). Darrell  and I were able to set-up appointments with staff from the offices of Senator Richard Lugar, Senator Evan Bayh, Congressman Pete Visclosky, Congressman Steve Buyer, Congressman Dan Burton, Congressman Mike Pence, and Congressman Brad Ellsworth. Information was left at the office of Congressman Mark Souder. Information will be forwarded to the offices of Congressman Joe Donnelly, Congressman Andre’ Carson , and Congressman Baron Hill.

During the Legislative Symposium meetings we asked Congressmen to consider becoming a co-sponsor H.R.1452, introduced by Representative Stupak (D-MI) and Burgess (R-TX), which would involve the Secretary of Health and Human Services in this Medicare Clinical Diagnostic Fee Schedule Modernization Act of 2009. The clinical diagnostic laboratory fee schedule was established in 1984 and has not been subject to review in the past 25 years.  The purpose of the Act is to provide a mechanism for periodic updates in order to enable clinical laboratories to continue to provide advanced, accurate, and effective tests to all patients. Title II of this bill addresses updating the Medicare Diagnostic Clinical Laboratory Drawing Fee, which was set at $3.00 in 1984, based on 1983 data. There has not been a change despite numerous costly OSHA requirements, such as: requiring safer sharp protection, glove requirements, and other protective equipment.

Meetings with the Senator’s staff included a request to consider sponsoring a Senate version of H.R. 1452.

Senators and Representatives were requested to support reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act and Support Title VII Allied Health Programs. The economic stimulus plan includes $200 million to address health professions workforce shortages. An operating plan must be submitted to Congress by the HHS within 90 days of the enactment of the legislation. These funds can be used for scholarships and loans for students and for grants to training programs for equipment. Funds will be used for both Title VII Allied Health programs and Title VIII nurse training programs. We are requesting that emergency grant applications be made available for laboratory students in need and clinical laboratory programs in danger of closure. (Note: Accredited medical laboratory science programs dropped from 709 programs in 1975 to 219 in 2009. Cytotechnologists programs have decreased from 65 in 1994 to 39 active programs in 2008. Additional closures are at risk for closing this year.)

If there is any additional information that I can provide, please let me know. Darrell and I will continue to follow-up with our Congressmen and hope that you will join us to advocate these very important issues.

Thanks again for this wonderful opportunity to become involved.

Janet