Proficiency Testing Improvement Act of 2005

PROFICIENCY TESTING IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - December 17, 2005)

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Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4568. This legislation will put in place a 1-year delay of a problematic cytology testing program and will allow HHS to review and revise the program in order to better reflect current medical practice.

Numerous pathologists from my district in central and western Pennsylvania have expressed great concern over this testing program. I would like to share a portion of a letter I received from a well-respected pathologist from Roaring Springs, Pennsylvania, Dr. Bill Kirsch, regarding this issue. And I think it is extremely important to hear the words of a practicing pathologist and not just legislators on the floor of the House.

Dr. Kirsch first contacted me in August of this year saying the following:

``Although I have not received the survey material at this time, it was apparent when I read the initial introduction of this new testing procedure that it had little merit and was only vaguely related to the actual practice of cytopathology.

``My contention is this supposed proficiency examination will do little or nothing to improve the quality of the cytopathology services and only add to hospital expenses through fee and the paid time for the cytology tech staff and the pathologist forced to participate. There are other proficiency tests that I have subscribed to for a number of years and have helped me to become a better cytopathologist.

``The current proficiency testing by MIME has, in my opinion, no merit and does not deserve to be continued. It does not have the support of pathology or cytopathologist professionals and should not have even been initiated.''

Mr. Speaker, I respect the wisdom and experience of many of the doctors and laboratory professionals that have contacted me asking that we please ask HHS to step back and review this testing program. A vote for the commonsense legislation is just what the doctor ordered.

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