Debbie Dingell: “I support H.R. 4568, the ``Proficiency Testing Improvement Act of 2005,'' which requires the Secretary of the Department…”

“I support H.R. 4568, the ``Proficiency Testing Improvement Act of 2005,'' which requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to update the federal program to test the proficiency of individual laboratory professionals who read Pap tests. This bill delays implementation of the program first proposed in 1992 so that revisions, including those recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee, can be made. Importantly, these revisions are required to be made within one year, and must be made before proficiency testing can resume. This is a commonsense measure that will assure that regulations implemented by the Federal Government reflect current science, technology, and medical practice. I urge my colleagues to support it.”