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Michigan Legislative Updates

2008

“Constantly move forward” was our mantra that the MSA GAPA Committee vowed to do. HB5544 died in committee last year. This means a new bill must be written and sponsored. We discussed the necessity of hiring a lobbyist to help us in passing our bill for certification and mandatory education for STs working in the OR. We have been meeting with Chris Kindsvatter, a lobbyist in Lansing. He met with Ben Price from AST in Colorado last week. I am happy to report that we have signed a contract with his lobby group. Chris and his associates will be guiding us to achieve our goal of passing a bill. John Stakoe agreed to continue to work with us as well. GAPA committee members, Lynda Custer, Brenda Mae Chilcote, Jean Chester and I met with Chris last fall. We reviewed the language of our new bill and a new meeting with Chris and John Stakoe is planned this February to finalize the details.

I look forward to having our bill written and sponsored. Keep checking for updates as once this is done, MSA will be soliciting your help in the grass roots effort to pass legislation. We will keep you updated on the MSA website.

Sincerely yours,

Rebecca Pieknik, MS, CST, CSA, FAST  MSA GAPA Chair

This was reported 12-5-2008 by Jessica Byrom MIR's Newspaper:(MIR's Newspaper granted to duplicate)

Who's That Counting The Scalpels?

While the man holding the scalpel must complete years of training, the person making sure the scalpel wasn't sewed up inside a patient may have walked off the street, health education advocates told the House Health Policy Committee.

According to Lynda CUSTER, president of Michigan's Association of Surgical Technologists (MSAAST), current surgical technician certification is a voluntary process, meaning the person responsible for the operating room equipment doesn't need a single hour of instruction to technically qualify for the position.

HB 6418 (2008) and 6419 (2008), sponsored by Reps. Marie DONIGAN (D-Royal Oak) and John STAKOE (R-Highland), would beef up requirements for these health care professionals by requiring all technicians to complete an accredited two-year associate program and maintain certification as established by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. In addition, all surgical technicians must complete 15 hours of continued education annually to maintain certification.

The 15-hour requirement can usually be completed at an accredited hospital, workshop or through an online program, Custer said.

Rep. Lisa WOJNO (D-Warren), a registered nurse, expressed concern at the potential cost of the continued education programs. However, according to Association of Surgical Technologists representatives, many of the online programs are free and others are available at reduced costs.

No action was taken on bills, even though committee chair Rep. Kathy ANGERER (D-Dundee) said it's possible this was the last committee meeting this session.