Good
morning Chairman Gannon, Chairman Rieger, and members of the committee.
My name is Jim Swoyer, and I’m a Public Interest Advocate with the
Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group (PennPIRG). PennPIRG is a
non-profit, non-partisan consumer advocacy organization, representing
thousands of members across the state. I would like to thank the
Committee for giving me the opportunity to testify regarding House
Bill’s 976 and 977. PennPIRG supports this legislation and we would
like to thank Representative Santoni for his leadership on this issue.
Perfusionists are skilled health professionals with advanced training
in the operation of heart-lung machines, and they play vital roles as
members of open-heart surgical teams. In addition to this essential
service, perfusionists have other important functions, including
assisting patients in long-term care and providing support services for
other medical procedures.
Given the seriousness of perfusionists’ tasks and the technical
sophistication of their training, it is highly appropriate for
Pennsylvania to establish rules and regulations to ensure the integrity
and competence of licensees. It is also important to set a single
standard of care for patients statewide and to clearly designate the
agency to which health care consumers can turn to for help, advice, or
guidance.
Many states have already adopted much of the regulatory controls
contained in House Bills 976 and 977. Given the large number of elderly
patients in Pennsylvania, it seems even more important that we adopt
sufficient oversight. House Bills 976 and 977 will do just that.
PennPIRG asks that you pass this legislation.
Thank you.
