(EMAILWIRE.COM, September 30, 2008 ) WASHINGTON – The clinical laboratory community last week honored U.S. House Committee on Small Business Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) with the Washington G-2 Reports’ 2008 Public Service National Leadership Award. Given annually, the award recognizes the Chairwoman’s leadership and efforts to ensure patients receive quality health care services in their communities.

“Small medical providers are the backbone of the nation’s healthcare system, particularly in medically-underserved communities, nursing homes, and rural areas,” Chairwoman Velázquez said. “Patients and physicians depend on the quality work of local small laboratories.”

Chairwoman Velázquez was honored for the Small Business Committee’s work on behalf of Medicare patients across the country, and the nearly 5,000 small clinical laboratories who serve them. Under her leadership, the Committeefocused extensively on CMS’ proposed competitive bidding initiative which offered an advantage to large corporate laboratories over small labs. This could have forced thousands of entrepreneurs out of business. The Chairwoman's commitment to meaningful reforms contributed to the development and eventual passage of legislation that prevented CMS’ implementation of the program and protected the competitiveness of small health care providers.

“Small firms provide accessible health care services to millions of people in areas where they are needed most,” Chairwoman Velázquez said. “By addressing the challenges our small medical providers face, we ensure patients have access to the trusted care of their family doctor, pharmacist and technicians.”

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