Recent ASQ Meetings in Washington, DC

The following is a synopsis of meetings held on behalf of ASQ in Washington, DC, May 17-18, 2004. Representing ASQ: Amy Kimball, Sellery Associates, Inc., and Dick Sandretti, Sandretti Associates, Inc.

Primary objectives of this series of meetings were to gather support for the Baldrige expansion legislation in the Senate and to seek backing for the additional funding of $1.5 million in federal funds that the expansion will require. To aid in accomplishing those two objectives, we engaged the assistance of Bob Thomas, government relations representative of 2003 Baldrige award recipient Medrad. Mr. Thomas accompanied us on several of the visits, and we utilized his expertise much as we would use Subject Matter Experts from ASQ.

We had received word that the Baldrige authorization was to be split out of S. 1395 because it had little to do with the remainder of the bill and didn’t need to be tied to it. We have not confirmed that as yet, but did bring the possibility forward during the meetings.

May 17

The afternoon was spent in a conference call with ASQ headquarters, the minutes of which were distributed separately. Additionally, time was spent brainstorming and developing a communication plan that is aimed at increasing the knowledge and understanding of the membership regarding activities in Washington, D.C. Sellery Associates was to review the plan with representatives of ASQ during their attendance at the Annual Quality Congress. Time was also spent in reviewing and finalizing the Sellery presentation for AQC.

May 18

Sen. George Allen (R-VA), member of the Senate Commerce Committee—meeting with Frank Cavaliere, deputy legislative director. Gist of the meeting was to inform Mr. Cavaliere of S. 1395, the authorization bill in the Senate containing language for the Baldrige expansion. We specifically asked that the Senator request that the bill move forward in the committee and be brought to the floor. Or, if the authorization is split out, that the Senator assist in getting it through committee. Mr. Cavaliere was in agreement with our position.

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), member of the Senate Commerce Committee—meeting with Ray Krncevic, legislative assistant. Meeting was basically the same as with Sen. Allen’s staff. Mr. Krncevic also agreed with our position indicating that he knew of no reason for the expansion to be held up.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) — meeting with Mike Zamore, policy advisor. Subject: Rep. Kennedy’s pending legislation on health care reform. Mr. Zamore indicated that Rep. Kennedy is about to introduce legislation that would lead to system change. Tentatively entitled “Quality, Efficiency, Standards, and Technology (QUEST) for Healthcare Transformation Act,” the legislation’s thesis is to provide a “system delivering quality, patient safety, and efficiency that is the best in the world, realizing the transformation called for by the Institute of Medicine’s Quality Chasm Series.” The new system is envisioned to have three elements: A universally wired healthcare system linked in a national health information infrastructure; a new research focus on improving evidence about the effectiveness and value of clinical interventions; and payment systems that reward the quality, not quantity, of medicine practiced. During our discussions, we pointed out that ASQ has been called upon for both feedback and input into legislation. Mr. Zamore agreed that ASQ could very well have a role and asked us to be of assistance. We informed Mr. Zamore of an initiative sponsored by the AHA that is recruiting hospitals to establish standards for certain basic procedures. He was unaware of the initiative. Subsequently, we forwarded information to him about the project.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) — member of the Senate Commerce Committee. Meeting with Douglas J. Mehan, legislative aide. Meeting was to brief the Senator’s staff about the expansion and the benefits of the expansion into the not-for-profit area. Mr. Mehan indicated that he would inform the Senator of our position and suggest that the Senator assist in moving S. 1395 through the committee, or moving the independent authorization, should it be split from the omnibus package.

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) — member of the Senate Commerce Committee. Meeting with J. Matthew McCullough, legislative aide. Again, our message was one of education regarding the value of the expansion, and request for support from the Senator. Mr. McCullough also indicated he would suggest that the Senator provide backing for the authorization.

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) — member of the Senate Commerce Committee. Meeting with James A. Hunter, legislative aide. Presented the information on the desirability and value of the expansion. At the end of the meeting, we issued an invitation to the Senator to visit ASQ during his presidential campaigning and that ASQ would assemble a group of Baldrige Award recipients to brief the Senator on the value of the Baldrige in America. Mr. Hunter was to pass the invitation on to the campaign.