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Dear AAPA Members,
I want to thank all the Georgia pathologists’ assistants who reached out to me offering assistance regarding Senate Bill 525 and take this opportunity to update all AAPA members.
What does the AAPA Legislative Subcommittee know?
Three senators introduced Senate Bill 525 at the beginning of this year, 2022. We do not yet know who the pathology references were.
On February 17th, the Georgia Association of Pathology (GAP) wrote a letter to the senators in opposition of this bill. The letter was also signed by a representative from the College of American Pathologists (CAP). To be clear, the AAPA is in favor of licensure but is opposed to this bill as written. In part, the opposition stems from no grandfathering provision and no outline for biopsy/grossing technicians.
What has been done?
- The three proposing senators have received the AAPA licensure kit, a comprehensive package including the ASCP position on licensure, pathologists’ assistant scope of practice, educational requirements, as well as other licensure documents.
- I have spoken with Dr. Joelson, president of GAP. He was very cordial, and we had a good discussion. Dr. Joelson has been requested to review the AAPA licensure kit to better understand the AAPA’s position on licensure. Keep in mind, Georgia, as well as Tennessee, repealed their licensure for all lab personnel during the pandemic, citing staffing shortages.
- The bill has been tabled for now, per Dr. Joelson. It will go through an investigational period by a team and then, potentially, be reintroduced during the next session of the Georgia General Assembly.
- I have reached out to the CAP representative who co-signed the GAP letter and have a call scheduled for late April.
- I have been in contact with ASCP and ASCLS regarding proposed language for grandfathering and legislation in general. Expect more to come on this in the coming months.
What can you do?
- Any time there is discussion of pathologists’ assistant licensure in your state, either proposed by your pathology team or even by rumor, please notify the AAPA Central Office at [email protected]. We may ask for your help and might request you to be a primary point of contact for the state.
- Ask your pathologists their opinion. If they are members of the CAP, ask them to be advocates for the profession and for licensure of pathologists’ assistants.
- Always keep the lines of communication open. Licensure may be a long process followed by a flurry of activity – much like our work as pathologists’ assistants.
Sincerely,
Liz Rizzo, PA(ASCP)CM
Legislative Subcommittee Chair
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