History of Perfusionist Credentialing
from the AmSECT Government Relations Program power point presentation...
“Perfusion is one of 28 allied health professions recognized as a distinct discipline by the American Medical Association (AMA).
The roots of the AmSECT Government Relations Program really began in 1989 with a bill that was moving through the California Legislature that defined the responsibilities and activities of respiratory therapists . . . unfortunately, the bill would have also prevented perfusionists from operating the heart-lung machine and providing membrane oxygenation. Perfusionists were not a recognized profession (not legally credentialed) and could not legally perform their scope of practice because California law prohibited a licensed practitioner from delegating responsibilities i.e. a physician could not allow perfusionists to operate a heart-lung machine under their license. The outcome in California was a titling Act (the weakest form of legal credentialing)
At the 33rd International meeting of AmSECT, by a unanimous vote, the Board of Directors approved the following statement: “The AmSECT Board recommends the state legal credentialing of perfusionists”. This represented a significant change in the society’s previous position in that AmSECT had only expressed support for individual state’s perfusionists if they chose to pursue state legal credentialing. This is no longer the case.
Prior to 1991, AmSECT responded to legislative actions with the assistance of volunteer members. In 1991, AmSECT’s Government Relations Program was established to respond to public health, legislative and regulatory initiatives affecting perfusionists.
It is estimated that since 1995, more than 50 percent of AmSECT members experienced a state legislative scope of practice threat.
Significant changes are taking place in the health care system and its future will be shaped by legislative decisions made in state capitols throughout the nation, and by the Congress. The current health care environment for perfusionists necessitates organized and effective lobbying strategies and determined efforts on behalf of the profession. Important initiatives regarding reimbursement, professional recognition and scope of practice are being considered and decided by lawmakers nearly every legislative session.”
AmSECT GRC Strategy and Tactics:
“Disbursements of financial support to organize and build State Societies into cohesive, professional organizations that have an influential voice in the legislative process. Approval of targeted grant dollars to accelerate the advancement of licensure legislation, and to block legislation adverse to the profession. Developing training tools and model programs to assist State Societies in organizing their members, formulating legislative proposals and shaping favorable legislative and regulatory outcomes.”
ORGANIZING AND INFLUENCING LEGISLATIVE DECISION MAKERS:
A critical component in any legislative campaign is having state and national professional societies. The scope of the professional agenda for these groups is different when it comes to participating in efforts to influence state or federal legislative or regulatory decisions affecting perfusionists. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association, AmSECT is limited in the extent of the legislative lobbying activities that it can engage in at the federal and state levels of government. State non-profit 501(c)6 professional associations are not limited in the extent of lobbying and political activities that can legally be done.
Kansas Practicing Perfusionist Society (KPPS) Historical Background:
The idea of credentialing in Kansas was first raised in 1989 due to the bill moving through the California legislature that ultimately led to the Titling Act for California perfusionists. Various meetings in Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita were scheduled. Although the intentions of the then essentially self-appointed state liaison were honorable and genuine, the "forge ahead" attitude ruffled the feathers of most Kansas perfusionists who believed the best approach regarding any form of regulation was to "proceed with caution".
Concern for the watershed events in California, and the local situation served as the catalyst for setting up an official statewide perfusion organization. By 1991, the name Kansas Practicing Perfusionist Society (KPPS) was in place, and a roster of all practicing Kansas perfusionists that included names, addresses, and phone numbers was available. A working copy of "KPPS Policies and Bylaws" took shape in late 1991, and was officially adopted in January of 1992.
To further formalize KPPS, a Development Assistance Grant from AmSECT was applied for and received. These monies, along with membership dues, allowed KPPS to become incorporated as a not-for-profit 501(c)6 professional association in 1995. For several years, KPPS focused heavily on continuing education. Perfusion-related topics of the day were discussed at meetings, and guest speakers were invited. Then, in 2002, the focus shifted more towards state recognition. In November 2002, a “notice of intent” to seek credentialing was filed with the secretary of KDHE. The secretary responded in March 2003 that he “had determined that perfusionists are health care personnel as defined in KSA 65-5001.” Per the KDHE, a “notice of intent” must be re-filed due to the time lapse since the 2003 determination.
Additional monies were then sought from AmSECT in the form of a Legislative Action Assistance Grant, and the idea of perfusionists in Kansas being recognized by the state legislature has been at the forefront of discussions at meetings for the past several years.
KPPS has been active to one degree or another for nearly two decades. State credentialing has always been of primary interest - the society was formed specifically to engage in legislative matters. The “proceed with caution” posture was adopted early on by the society for many practical reasons including the fact that state credentialing was a controversial and divisive subject; no one knew the “how, when, why or where” of state recognition; none of us had any experience with legislative matters; most of us were rather paranoid by the California events; Kansas is a small state with relatively few perfusionists; we felt that we could always rely on our surgeons to intervene on our behalf; and frankly, given the divisiveness of the subject the society struggled as to how to achieve any sense of consensus outside of our individual localities. The current Board of Directors of KPPS wished to establish that consensus, provide a forum for spirited discussion, then with the agreement of the majority of Kansas perfusionists engage in the legislative process for credentialing through the KDHE and the Kansas legislature. The Credentialing process was undertaken with earnest in February 2007 with the submission of our "Initial Notice of Intent to File".
“Perfusion is one of 28 allied health professions recognized as a distinct discipline by the American Medical Association (AMA).
The roots of the AmSECT Government Relations Program really began in 1989 with a bill that was moving through the California Legislature that defined the responsibilities and activities of respiratory therapists . . . unfortunately, the bill would have also prevented perfusionists from operating the heart-lung machine and providing membrane oxygenation. Perfusionists were not a recognized profession (not legally credentialed) and could not legally perform their scope of practice because California law prohibited a licensed practitioner from delegating responsibilities i.e. a physician could not allow perfusionists to operate a heart-lung machine under their license. The outcome in California was a titling Act (the weakest form of legal credentialing)
At the 33rd International meeting of AmSECT, by a unanimous vote, the Board of Directors approved the following statement: “The AmSECT Board recommends the state legal credentialing of perfusionists”. This represented a significant change in the society’s previous position in that AmSECT had only expressed support for individual state’s perfusionists if they chose to pursue state legal credentialing. This is no longer the case.
Prior to 1991, AmSECT responded to legislative actions with the assistance of volunteer members. In 1991, AmSECT’s Government Relations Program was established to respond to public health, legislative and regulatory initiatives affecting perfusionists.
It is estimated that since 1995, more than 50 percent of AmSECT members experienced a state legislative scope of practice threat.
Significant changes are taking place in the health care system and its future will be shaped by legislative decisions made in state capitols throughout the nation, and by the Congress. The current health care environment for perfusionists necessitates organized and effective lobbying strategies and determined efforts on behalf of the profession. Important initiatives regarding reimbursement, professional recognition and scope of practice are being considered and decided by lawmakers nearly every legislative session.”
AmSECT GRC Strategy and Tactics:
“Disbursements of financial support to organize and build State Societies into cohesive, professional organizations that have an influential voice in the legislative process. Approval of targeted grant dollars to accelerate the advancement of licensure legislation, and to block legislation adverse to the profession. Developing training tools and model programs to assist State Societies in organizing their members, formulating legislative proposals and shaping favorable legislative and regulatory outcomes.”
ORGANIZING AND INFLUENCING LEGISLATIVE DECISION MAKERS:
A critical component in any legislative campaign is having state and national professional societies. The scope of the professional agenda for these groups is different when it comes to participating in efforts to influence state or federal legislative or regulatory decisions affecting perfusionists. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association, AmSECT is limited in the extent of the legislative lobbying activities that it can engage in at the federal and state levels of government. State non-profit 501(c)6 professional associations are not limited in the extent of lobbying and political activities that can legally be done.
Kansas Practicing Perfusionist Society (KPPS) Historical Background:
The idea of credentialing in Kansas was first raised in 1989 due to the bill moving through the California legislature that ultimately led to the Titling Act for California perfusionists. Various meetings in Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita were scheduled. Although the intentions of the then essentially self-appointed state liaison were honorable and genuine, the "forge ahead" attitude ruffled the feathers of most Kansas perfusionists who believed the best approach regarding any form of regulation was to "proceed with caution".
Concern for the watershed events in California, and the local situation served as the catalyst for setting up an official statewide perfusion organization. By 1991, the name Kansas Practicing Perfusionist Society (KPPS) was in place, and a roster of all practicing Kansas perfusionists that included names, addresses, and phone numbers was available. A working copy of "KPPS Policies and Bylaws" took shape in late 1991, and was officially adopted in January of 1992.
To further formalize KPPS, a Development Assistance Grant from AmSECT was applied for and received. These monies, along with membership dues, allowed KPPS to become incorporated as a not-for-profit 501(c)6 professional association in 1995. For several years, KPPS focused heavily on continuing education. Perfusion-related topics of the day were discussed at meetings, and guest speakers were invited. Then, in 2002, the focus shifted more towards state recognition. In November 2002, a “notice of intent” to seek credentialing was filed with the secretary of KDHE. The secretary responded in March 2003 that he “had determined that perfusionists are health care personnel as defined in KSA 65-5001.” Per the KDHE, a “notice of intent” must be re-filed due to the time lapse since the 2003 determination.
Additional monies were then sought from AmSECT in the form of a Legislative Action Assistance Grant, and the idea of perfusionists in Kansas being recognized by the state legislature has been at the forefront of discussions at meetings for the past several years.
KPPS has been active to one degree or another for nearly two decades. State credentialing has always been of primary interest - the society was formed specifically to engage in legislative matters. The “proceed with caution” posture was adopted early on by the society for many practical reasons including the fact that state credentialing was a controversial and divisive subject; no one knew the “how, when, why or where” of state recognition; none of us had any experience with legislative matters; most of us were rather paranoid by the California events; Kansas is a small state with relatively few perfusionists; we felt that we could always rely on our surgeons to intervene on our behalf; and frankly, given the divisiveness of the subject the society struggled as to how to achieve any sense of consensus outside of our individual localities. The current Board of Directors of KPPS wished to establish that consensus, provide a forum for spirited discussion, then with the agreement of the majority of Kansas perfusionists engage in the legislative process for credentialing through the KDHE and the Kansas legislature. The Credentialing process was undertaken with earnest in February 2007 with the submission of our "Initial Notice of Intent to File".