[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 21, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H2230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ADDRESSING THE SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL LABORATORY PERSONNEL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Burns). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to call attention to a piece 
of legislation that I introduced, along with my colleagues, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson) and the gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. Bilirakis), to address the shortage of medical laboratory 
personnel, H.R. 623.
  The United States is facing a severe and increasing problematic 
shortage of qualified laboratory personnel. Many rural areas and areas 
served by smaller hospitals are finding it increasingly difficult to 
recruit and retain qualified laboratory workers.
  The vital role medical laboratory professionals play in health care 
must be recognized. Between 70 to 75 percent of all medical diagnoses 
are based on laboratory test results. But because these important 
health care practitioners seldom have direct patient contact, their 
important role in health care often goes unnoticed by patients. 
Ensuring that our Nation's laboratories possess the human resources, 
that is, laboratory professionals, to accurately process laboratory 
testing demands is critical to patient health.
  The U.S. Department of Labor projects that approximately 13,200 
medical laboratory professionals will be needed each year through 2010. 
Unfortunately, fewer than 5,000 individuals are graduating from 
accredited training programs each year.
  The bill includes a scholarship program to help students meet their 
academic education and clinical training expenses. It provides for loan 
forgiveness by working in areas designated as having a shortage of 
medical laboratory personnel or allied health practitioners. In 
addition, this legislation establishes a program to provide awards to 
individuals who teach medical laboratory science.
  These are just a few of the important measures created in H.R. 623. I 
would encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
legislation.

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