[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16338]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSISTANTS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 2015

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor all medical 
assistant professionals as we observe National Medical Assistants Week.
  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assisting 
is one of our country's fastest growing occupations with an estimated 
584,000 men and women serving nationwide. These medical professionals 
are central figures in the health care industry as they promote, 
support, and help maintain cooperative and successful relationships 
between patients and physicians.
  In the U.S., medical assistants have traditionally held jobs almost 
exclusively in ambulatory care centers, urgent care facilities, and 
clinics, but this is now changing. Today, medical assistants work in 
private and public hospitals, inpatient and outpatient facilities, 
assisted living facilities, or in general practice and specialists' 
offices. Operating with a wide array of skills at their disposal, 
medical assistants are responsible for administrative roles such as 
scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, recording billing 
and coding information for insurance purposes, as well as performing 
clinical duties like taking and recording vital signs, completing 
medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, 
and administering medications as directed by a physician.
  With their unique versatility, medical assistants are assets to the 
medical field that serves both doctors and patients with loyalty and 
dedication. It is a privilege to recognize these honorable men and 
women who are committed to health care and work diligently to heal 
fellow citizens and others in our country. I wish all who pursue this 
worthy vocation the best, and I urge all Americans to be aware of their 
sizeable contributions to our health care system.

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