title: Government 103: what happened to the great idea?
abstract: A similar analysis relates to bloodborne pathogens legislation, clinical laboratory reimbursement regulations, and Title VII support for health professions education. What ultimately happens to a great idea depends on our nurture and protection, meanwhile the efforts of others may subjugate its purpose. Failure to nurture the idea means it may have a previously undreamed-of effect. This commentary on the consequences of political action supports hard work, action, and vigilance. The framers intended that the system be energized, not paralyzed by multiple checks, balances, controls and remedies. George III wasn't big on any of these in the 18th century, so they now exist for the protection of us all. That they may seem obtuse is but one more reason for a vibrant participatory body politic, players on all sides who care to take the time to know the issues and our current boundaries. ASCLS has understood this, has taken up the gauntlet and has advocated for our field and its effect on patients in need of clinical laboratory tests for longer and with more success that any entity in US history. What part can you play in the knowing and the doing?
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth Massachusetts 02747-2300, USA. JGriffith@UMassD.edu
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Griffith
mesh_terms: D035082:Federal Government; D006801:Humans; D007603:Jurisprudence; D007878:Legislation as Topic; D011057:Politics; D011640:Public Policy; D014481:United States