The Clinical Laboratory Practice Act: New York State Bill S03762/A04948 was passed by the State Senate on June 19, 2003, delivered to the Assembly and referred to the Higher Education Committee. This act establishes licensing requirements for professional and technical personnel who perform clinical laboratory testing procedures on human specimens related to medical diagnosis, assessment and treatment of human health conditions. Assemblyman Ron Canestrari, chair, will reconvene the Higher Education Committee in January 2004 for final review of the act.

A letter writing campaign seeking the support of local and state government officials was implemented by Angela Meisse, MPA, MT (ASCP) SBB, Clinical Laboratory Science Program Director at C.W. Post, during National Medical Laboratory Science Week, April 2003. The letters explained the importance of New York State Licensure, which would guarantee highly qualified, educated and competent laboratory personnel. The letters pointed out to our local legislators that the laboratory professional is a viable component of the diagnostic healthcare team generating nearly 75 percent of the data needed for a physician to identify a diagnosis. Failure to perform accurate testing, failure to possess the ability to troubleshoot abnormal results and complex instrumentation, and failure to report appropriate data can lead to misdiagnosing, inappropriate treatments, possible death and unfortunate lawsuits. Why compromise patient care? New York State licensure will regulate these practices and endorse quality education for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technologists.

These letters were distributed to the many attendees at our annual seminar titled, “Welcome to Molecular Diagnostics, the Future of Infectious Disease Testing,” and to our local hospital affiliates. Names and addresses of the legislators residing in the many districts were provided to simplify the sending of the letters.

Assemblywoman Maureen O’Connell from the 17th District in Nassau County responded to Professor Meisse’s letter asking what she can do to help the cause and to offer her support.

Professor Angela Robinson required her HSMB 147 senior CLS students to write their own letters to their local legislators. One student’s letter greatly influenced Senator Owen H. Johnson and he assured Robinson of his vote in the Senate. The Senate passed the bill in June.

Angela L. Meisse, MPA, MT (ASCP) SBB
CLS Program Director