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e-LABorate

March 17th and 18th, 2008, ASCLS hosted the 20^th annual Clinical Laboratory Legislative Symposium along with co-sponsor’s Clinical Laboratory Management  Association (CLMA) and American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).  This year’s symposium was held in Washington, DC.  In total 143 laboratory professionals (including 6 from Minnesota) journeyed to Capitol Hill to form a unified, concerted voice on legislative and regulatory  issues to Congress.  Those attending from Minnesota were Kathy Hanson, Denise Miller, Dan Raczynski, Carol  McCoy, JoAnn Nickles and Rick Panning. 

On Day One of the symposium, we attended informational sessions which provided us with the knowledge and tools to effectively discuss laboratory legislative issues with congressional members and legislative assistants on Capitol Hill.

 Laboratory leaders and legislative experts from ASCLS, CLMA and ASCP provided us with an in-depth overview of the laboratory legislative issues. This year the focus was on three main areas: competitive bidding demonstration projects, the laboratory personnel shortage, and the Medicare Fee Schedule.

In addition to the legislative overview, a panel of experts provided us with the “how-to’s” of lobbying.  We became familiar with the current political environment, the organizational structure of congressional offices, committees, and staff. In the afternoon, we worked in small groups to “practice” lobbying techniques in preparation for our congressional visits. 

On Day Two, we journeyed to Capitol Hill to discuss with congressional members and their legislative assistants about how legislative issues impact laboratories and constituents in their home state or region.  The Minnesota delegation met with the healthcare legislative assistants to Senators Amy Klobuchar and Norm Coleman after which each of us met with assistants to our respective Congressional members.  Additionally, we visited the office of each Minnesota Congressional Representative that we did not have a scheduled appointment to drop off issue briefs for the legislative assistant to review and talk with their member of Congress.

Three key issues discussed during our Capitol Hill visit includes:

Competitive Bidding

We asked legislators to co-sponsor bills in the House and Senate that would repeal the competitive bidding demonstration project. The first project is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2008 in the San Diego, California area. ASCLS, ASCP and CLMA oppose competitive bidding as it is:

anti-competitive and will reduce the number of laboratories especially in rural communities;

will restrict physician choice of laboratories performing testing on their patient’s specimens; and it will adversely impact patient care by reducing patient’s access to laboratory services.

 

Make a Difference with ASCLS, CLMA and ASCP at Legislative Symposium Submitted by the MN Representatives

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