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Make a Difference with ASCLS, CLMA and ASCP at Legislative Symposium

                                                                                                                     continued Laboratory Personnel Shortage

At our congressional meetings we discussed our concerns regarding the laboratory personnel shortage.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics currently estimates that clinical laboratories will need 15,000 additional laboratory professionals annually. In 2006 approximately 5000 students graduated. To help address this shortfall, we ask our legislators to raise Title VII funding from $193 million to $300 million, the funding level in 2005. Historically funds for laboratory education has been only a small fraction of Title VII funding, been difficult to access, and in recent years, funding for laboratory education has been diverted to other health care professional education or eliminated.

Medicare Fee Schedule

We informed legislators that the laboratory industry is developing a proposal for an alternative payment system for Medicare Part B outpatient reimbursement for laboratory services.

The 2008 Legislative Symposium gave us an opportunity to provide a unified front on behalf of the laboratory profession. We returned home from Washington, D.C. with a first-hand knowledge of the political system in action and the confidence to know that we can make (and have made) an impact on legislative and regulatory issues.

It is vital  for our laboratory profession to keep abreast of the legislative and regulatory issues that impact the laboratory and the health care community.

 

  

e-LABorate

Carol Mcoy, Kathy Hanson, Dan Raczynski, Denise Miller, JoAnn Nickles

Filling Your Professional Life

with Value Submitted By:  Lezlee Koch ASCLS Region V  Director

Another year has come to an end.  Now, we can begin preparing for a GREAT 2008 in ASCLS!  Even though there is much work yet to be done for our profession and it’s professionals, and numerous obstacles still to overcome, there is no reason to be dismayed.  The progress and tasks undertaken this past year in ASCLS have been tremendous!  ASCLS,  through the strength of its grassroots members, committees, leaders and collaborative efforts has made an impact on our future and works continuously to assure that quality laboratory services are available for generations to come.  Just a few of the accomplishments include continued progress on the Professional Doctorate Program, Levels of Practice White Paper, Patient Safety and developing tomorrows leaders through our new Leadership Academy program.  Our professional voice continues to be strong through our Government Affairs continued efforts to battle Competitive Bidding and provision of expert input into the MUE process.  Our Consumer Information Response program continues to grow and is currently responding to approximately 45,000 email requests per year for information on clinical laboratory testing.  Student and new professional members involvement in ASCLS continues to be strong and beneficial to “who we are today and ultimately helping define where we want to be tomorrow”!