April '09 Nevada Government—Shelley Berkley Column

New GAO Report NOTES Need for Better Data on Healthcare Associated Infections in Ambulatory Surgical Centers

Today (March 27, 2009) Reps. Henry A. Waxman, Frank Pallone, Jr., and Shelley Berkley released a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlighting the need for nationwide data on the risk of healthcare associated infections in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). Recent cases in which large numbers of patients were potentially exposed to serious infections, including HIV and hepatitis, have elevated the need to better understand and monitor the incidence of healthcare associated infections and ASC compliance with infection control practices designed to protect patients.

“This report includes important findings on lapses in safety procedures that resulted in more than 50,000 of my southern Nevada constituents being notified of their potential exposure to Hepatitis C or other blood borne diseases in the last year. Since this outbreak was uncovered, more than 100 of these Nevadans have now tested positive. And we know this is far from an isolated event,” said Rep. Berkley. “The report being released highlights just how little we know about the prevalence of unsafe practices in outpatient care settings. While guidelines and standards exist, we lack the mechanisms to ensure they are being followed as required. I agree with the recommendations in this report that recurring periodic surveys of randomly selected ambulatory surgery centers should be conducted and more resources devoted to ensuring compliance with existing Medicare standards.”

“In all of its work on healthcare associated infection, GAO has consistently identified gaps in data about the prevalence of these avoidable infections as an issue that HHS must address,” said Rep. Waxman, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. “Although we know healthcare associated infections are a deadly public health problem, our surveillance is so poor we still don’t even know whether these infections kill tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands each year.“

“This report once again highlights the need for standardized and accurate data on the prevalence of healthcare associated infections," said Rep. Pallone, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health. "It is clear that we need to do a better job of gathering this information so we can use the data to protect the American public from preventable infections that can cause serious injury or even death.”

The GAO report, Health-Care-Associated Infections: HHS Action Needed to Obtain Nationally Representative Data on Risks in Ambulatory Surgical Centers, underscores the lack of nationally representative, standardized data on the prevalence of healthcare associated infections in ambulatory surgical centers. According to the GAO, there are at least five disparate sources of data on healthcare associated infections in ambulatory surgical centers, including two administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). GAO recommends that HHS develop and implement a plan to conduct recurring, periodic surveys of randomly selected ambulatory surgical centers. This will assist HHS and other federal agencies in determining the nationwide prevalence of healthcare associated infections and ASC infection control protocol non-compliance in order to direct efforts to reduce infections and patient risk.

This is the third report in a series of reports GAO is preparing on healthcare associated infections. The complete GAO report is available online at www.energycommerce.house.gov.

Please call the Energy and Commerce Committee Press Office at (202) 225-5735 with any questions.

Berkley Seeks To Protect Care Options For Breast Cancer Patients

Legislation Would End “Drive-Through Mastectomies”

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley has again cosponsored legislation that would ban drive-through mastectomies. Passage of The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act, which has more than 200 cosponsors, will help to ensure that breast cancer patients have access to appropriate care by allowing a patient and her doctor to decide whether she should recuperate from a mastectomy or lumpectomy in the hospital for up to 48 hours or whether she has enough support to get quality care at home.

“Insurance companies should not force patients out of the hospital following a mastectomy or other breast cancer surgery as a way to cut costs and without regard for access to quality follow-up care. Doctors and patients must maintain the ability to determine the proper course of care, including the recovery time needed for those who have undergone surgical treatment. My legislation allows physicians and breast cancer patients the final say when it comes to decisions about staying in the hospital following a surgical procedure such as a lumpectomy,” said Berkley.

Unfortunately, under current law, many patients may be forced to leave the hospital when they are still in pain and under the effects of anesthesia. Patients may leave the hospital with drainage tubes that require professional attention because their insurance will not cover their stay. The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act ensures that any decision in favor of a shorter or longer hospital stay will be made by the patient and/or doctor, not insurance companies only concerned about the bottom line.

“The time has come to return this vital decision making power to doctors and their patients by enacting the protections included in The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act,” said Berkley.

The bill has the support of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Cancer Society. In addition, a petition at myLifetime.com calling for passage of the bill has been signed nearly 23 million times.

According to the American Cancer Society, in 2008, an estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in women, and an estimated 1,990 invasive breast cancer cases were diagnosed in men, most of whom will undergo some type of surgical treatment, which may involve a lumpectomy or mastectomy.

Berkley Praises White House Announcement That VA Will Continue To Pay Full Cost Of Care For Disabled And Wounded Veterans

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley praised an announcement by the White House that the Veterans’ Administration (VA) will continue covering the cost of care for veterans who are injured or disabled in the line of duty.

“Caring for our veterans is not an option, it’s our duty as Americans, and I am very pleased that President Obama has affirmed his commitment to maintaining current VA policy when it comes to treating those who are injured or disabled as a result of military service,” said Berkley. “There is no question we are in a time of tight budgets, but that means we will just have to work a little harder to make sure we are providing the funding needed to deliver top quality care to veterans who were disabled or injured while on activity duty. This is not the first time an idea has surfaced in budget talks, only to be shelved as unworkable. That is what I believed would happen from the outset, and I am very glad the White House has now made that 100% clear.”

The White House declared this afternoon in a statement that there would be no change in VA policy regarding the cost of medical care for veterans who were disabled or injured while on activity duty.

Berkley joined with House colleagues earlier this week in sending a letter raising concerns about the idea of billing private insurance for care provided to veterans for service-connected injuries and disabilities. In the letter, Berkley urged the White House not to move ahead on any proposal to bill veterans’ personal insurers for care or treatment of disability or injuries incurred as a result of honorable military service to the United States.

Berkley Votes For New National Service Program, Increased Volunteer Opportunities

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today voted to send President Obama legislation that will launch a new generation of national service and volunteerism. The House passed The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act by a vote of 275 to 149.

“America’s volunteers are working to improve lives and communities through their service to our nation and this legislation will promote this worthwhile activity. From serving our veterans to promoting clean energy, education and healthier communities, the four service corps created by our bill will provide new volunteer opportunities in Nevada and nationwide. Las Vegas and communities throughout the U.S. will be enriched by the commitment to public service that this bill encourages for students, seniors and all ages in between,” said Berkley. “National service through this program will also enable students to directly earn money to help cover the cost of an education. Older Americans who give of their time can also transfer the money they earn to a child or grandchild to pay for college -- so this is a win-win for everyone.”

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, H.R. 1388, will create 175,000 new volunteer opportunities for Americans to help meet the nation’s pressing challenges, including energy, education, health care, veterans’ needs, and more.

The bill creates opportunities for Americans of all ages to engage in service and will more than triple the number of volunteers serving nationwide from 75,000 to 250,000. The act establishes four new service corps: a Clean Energy Corps to increase energy efficiency and conservation, an Education Corps to help increase student engagement, achievement and graduation, a Healthy Futures Corps to help improve health care access, and a Veterans Service Corps to enhance services for veterans. These 175,000 new volunteer opportunities will expand current AmeriCorps programs and provide members for these four new service corps.

The legislation will also increase the education award service members receive in exchange for their contributions to $5,350 for next year, the same as the maximum Pell Grant scholarship, and permanently link it to match any future increases in the Pell Grant. It also creates new opportunities for older Americans and retirees and allows them to transfer their education awards -- up to $1,000 for at least 350 hours of service -- to a child, foster child or grandchild. A new Summer of Service program will also be established to engage middle and high school students in service. Those participating can earn a $500 education award to put toward college.

Reps. Berkley, Ros-Lehtinen Introduce Resolution Seeking to Focus Attention on Alcohol Awareness

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today joined Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in introducing a resolution that seeks to focus attention on the serious problem of alcohol abuse. The legislation supports the goals and ideals of Alcohol Awareness Month, which began today, April 1st.

“Raising awareness about the effects of alcohol can help save lives by reminding adults who drink to behave responsibly and by teaching young people about the dangers, especially when it comes to drinking and driving,” said Berkley. “As we get closer to prom season and graduation day, we are also encouraging parents to talk with their children about issues involving underage drinking and the consequences that can come along with the wrong choices. This resolution will help to focus attention on the importance of alcohol awareness, on efforts to prevent impaired driving and on the need for adults and children to talk about behaviors that can lead to health issues and legal problems. We also hope that Americans will take the time to learn about National Alcohol Screening Day on April 8th, and how it can be an important resource for those who are concerned about their personal consumption of alcohol or use by a friend or family member,” said Berkley.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) website, the potential danger for young people to be involved in alcohol related crashes escalates during prom and graduation; on average someone is killed in an alcohol impaired crash every 30 minutes. In 2007, there were 12,998 alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities in the United States causing countless families immeasurable pain and suffering.

Said Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, “Alcohol abuse is a problem that affects all age groups and demographics and tears families and communities apart. This resolution seeks to bring public attention to this tragedy and put a dent on the ravages caused by DUI’s, underage drinking, and all aspects of alcohol abuse.”

“I urge residents of my community and state to get screened on Wednesday, April 8th as this is National Alcohol Screening Day, where Americans across the nation can be tested anonymously to see if their drinking habits may be risky. Each one of us has a responsibility to help ease the problems caused by alcohol abuse,” said Ros-Lehtinen.

This bill encourages parents to talk with their children about the dangers of substance abuse; condemns the pervasiveness of alcohol impaired driving and tragedy; promotes the responsible consumption of alcohol for all people of the US; and supports the goals and ideals of Alcohol Awareness Month.