Donald, I don't know all the details. I'm just passing along the information
that I was given, and I guess it's up to each of us to learn more about the
bill (as with any informed decision). However, the major thrust is to raise
public awareness and promote laboratory training in order address the
critical shortages.
Glenda

-----Original Message-----
From: Awbrey, Donald [mailto:DonaldAwbrey@texashealth.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 12:55 PM
To: 'Hoye, Glenda F. (Fka Hood)'
Subject: RE: staff shortages




Glenda,

Just how does this bill #1948 address the staff shortages?  What does it 
provide?  Are there any irrelevant "pork barrel" projects or "riders" 
attached to it?

Thanks,

Donald G. Awbrey, HT(ASCP) QIHC
Image Analysis / Electron Microscopy
donaldawbrey@texashealth.org 
donaldawbrey@hotmail.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Hoye, Glenda F. (Fka Hood) [mailto:ghoye@iupui.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 9:36 AM
To: 'Histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: staff shortages


At the joint ASCP/CAP meeting this past weekend, the ASCP Washington office
director, Robin Stombler, updated us on legislation concerning laboratory
staffing shortages. There is currently a co-sponsored bill, #1948, Medical
Laboratory Personnel Shortage Act, that addresses the issues we are facing
in histology, cytology and clinical laboratories. The ASCP has had several
people testify at hearings to present the problems of the critical
shortages. However, Robin says that we ALL need to get involved, to express
our views and concerns to our representatives.

The Capitol Hill operator phone number is 202-224-3121, and anyone can call
to be directed to their representative's office. When connected to your
specific office, ask for the person in the area of health issues. Ask them
to support the legislation, and tell them how the staff shortages have
effected your laboratory and your life. Robin says that form letters are ok,
and that scripts can be written that you can read, but that your own
personal story about your lab is the most effective method of getting their
attention. Have numbers available if you know them -- how many openings you
have, for how long, if you've had any qualified applicants, etc...., and
talk about how overworked the remaining staff are, how many extra hours
you're having to work, how it is impacting quality patient care, etc.

The legislation is to raise awareness of our professions and to increase
funding for training programs who can reach anyone who might be interested
in becoming a histotech, cytotech, MLT or MT. 

You may contact Robin Stombler at the ASCP Washington Office at
202-347-4450, or at rstombler@aol.com.  She can further direct you in how to
approach a specific topic, if you would like her input.

I hope this information will prompt some of you to act. I know that
Washington is in a mess right now, and that offices have been temporarily
relocated. But, we can still get our voices heard. This is one way that we
might be effective in an otherwise seemingly 'win-less' area of our lives.

Glenda Hoye