Introduction

Extract

As clinical laboratory professionals, we are well aware of the importance of maintaining our technical knowledge and competence. Most of us are diligent about reading journals and attending continuing education programs to keep abreast of the advances in our field. However, many of us overlook, or in some cases intentionally avoid, the governmental and regulatory issues that impact the practice of clinical laboratory science. We often hear colleagues say they aren't very political or they are not interested in politics and the government. Some even confess that they don't see the connection between the practice of clinical laboratory science and governmental or regulatory affairs. Still others recognize the impact but prefer to leave those issues for “someone else” to address.

Having a basic understanding of the governmental and regulatory issues that impact reimbursement of laboratory services and how we practice clinical laboratory science is critical to practitioners. Governmental regulations dictate how (and how much) we are reimbursed for our services, as well as how and by whom those services will be provided. Knowledge regarding these issues arms us and prepares us to be better citizens and advocates for our profession and improving the quality of healthcare.

The ASCLS Code of Ethics states that practitioners and members have a duty to the patient, to colleagues and the profession, and to society as a whole. Certainly this requires technical and ethical competence, but it also requires that we be advocates on behalf of the profession to “uphold standards of practice, to seek…