TSGC

1
TSGC Licensure

• Patricia Sculley
• Genzyme Texas/Arizona
• 2007 Regional Meeting Retreat

2
Texas Society of Genetic Counselors

• Texas Society of Genetic Counselors
• Established and Incorporated in 2006
• Formerly the Texas Genetic Counselor Licensure
  Working Group (TGCLWG)
• an ad hoc committee founded in 2002 for the
  pursuit of State Licensure in Texas.
• Chair, Aimee Williams (2002-2004)
• Original 13 Working Group Members M. Casal, K.
  Copeland, K. Courtney, P. Furman, K. Heller, N.
  Lambert, S. Noblin, K. Plunkett, L. Robinson, J.
  Rollins, P. Sculley, P. Ward and C. Wicklund.

3
Texas Society of Genetic Counselors

• TSGC, as of Oct 07, has 99 Members
• 2nd TSGC Meeting at AEC on 10/13/07
• Good turnout, 33 attendees
• 690 in our account, 2008 dues pending (1/1/08)
• Application pending to be an official State
  Chapter of NSGC. Texas would be FIRST!
• Currently reviewing our bylaws and articles of
  incorporation.
• Benefits name recognition support, tax-exempt
  status.

4
Texas Society of Genetic Counselors

• Membership Dues and Categories
• Full 30/year Must Live or Work in Texas Plus
  meet 1 of the following
• MS or PhD in human genetics or genetic counseling
• MS or PhD in related field such as nursing,
  social work or public health and have a broad
  range of training and 3 years primary experience
  in genetic counseling
• Is certified in genetic counseling by ABMG or
  ABGC
• ?? If State chapter, is NSGC membership required
• Full members may vote, hold office and chair
  committees

5
Texas Society of Genetic Counselors

• Membership Dues and Categories
• Associate 20/year
• All other applicants who are HCP or whose
  interests focus on genetic counseling but are not
  eligible for full or student membership.
• Associate Members may attend meetings, but can
  not vote or serve on BOD.
• Can not chair committees but CAN serve on
  committees

6
Texas Society of Genetic Counselors

• Membership Dues and Categories
• Student, no fee
• All applicants currently enrolled in a graduate
  degree genetic counseling program or track (in
  any state) Students have same privileges as
  associate members.
• Emeritus, no fee
• All full members who have retired and who have
  been a member of TSGC in good standing for a
  minimum of 10 years. Emeritus members can not
  vote but may serve on committees.

7
Texas Society of Genetic Counselors

• TSGC has an elected Board of Directors
• Jennifer Lee Rollins, President
• Patricia Sculley Williams, Vice President
• Kristine Courtney, Treasurer
• Katie Plunkett, Secretary
• All are 2 year terms with staggered elections

8
Texas Society of Genetic Counselors

• Four Appointed Committee Chairs
• Membership Committee
• Karen Heller, Chair (karenheller_at_swbell.net)
• Responsible for recruiting maintaining
  membership, and communicating issues of
  importance or concern between Board and TSGC
  members
• Internal Texas Job Postings
• Maintains all current contact info on members and
  individuals moving in and out of the state.
• In 2008Design, develop and maintain TSGC website
• Tami Kelley, need other volunteers

9
Texas Society of Genetic Counselors

• Appointed Committee Chairs-continued
• Genetic Services Committee
• Jen Hoskovec, Chair (Jennifer.E.Malone_at_uth.tmc.edu
  )
• Responsible for issues pertaining the provision
  of genetic services within the State of Texas
• In 2007, committee served as Nominating Committee
  for BOD elections (Robinson, Buechner, Noblin)
• In 2008, committee will be conducting a needs
  assessment for the state. What are the needs for
  services and the availability of services in the
  State of Texas.

10
Texas Society of Genetic Counselors

• Appointed Committee Chairs-continued
• Professional Issues Committee
• Claire Singletary, Chair
• (Claire.N. Singletary_at_uth.tmc.edu)
• Responsible for issues pertaining to the
  profession of Genetic Counseling
• First Annual Educational Meeting March 27-29,
  2008 at the College Station Hilton, in
  conjunction with the TGS (Texas Genetics Society)
  meeting.
• Reduced registration for TGS meeting for TSGC
  members
• Opportunities for CEUs

11
Texas Society of Genetic Counselors

• Appointed Committee Chairs-continued
• Legislative Affairs Committee
• Open, Chair
• Responsible for keeping abreast of legislative
  issues bills that may impact the provision of
  genetic services and/or the profession of genetic
  counseling within the State of Texas.
• Provide voice for TSGC during Legislative
  Sessions
• Conduit for support from other HCP on
  actions/bills
• Work closely with Ad-hoc Committee on Licensure

12
Texas Society of Genetic Counselors

• Ad Hoc Committee on Licensure
• Jennifer Rollins Patty Sculley, Co-Chairs
• plus BOD and Committee Chairs
• Responsible for drafting a suitable licensure
  bill
• Facilitation of communication between TMA and
  other interested parties
• Coordinate efforts of TSGC surrounding lobbying
  activities

13
What is Licensure?

• A permission granted by competent authority to
  engage in a business or occupation. The most
  restrictive form of professional and occupational
  regulation.
• Generally viewed by legislative bodies as a
  regulatory effort to protect the public from
  potential harm.
• In the health care delivery system, an individual
  who is licensed tends to enjoy a certain amount
  of autonomy in delivering health care services.
• Conversely, the licensed individual must satisfy
  ongoing requirements which assure certain minimum
  levels of expertise.

14
What will licensure do for the public?

• Establish state board of genetic counseling
• Oversight/regulation
• Source for information
• Aid in identifying a competent provider
• Increase Access Quality of GC services in Texas
• Required CEUs
• Bring more GCs to the State, allow for GCs to
  serve rural areas

15
Whats in it for us?

• Protect the title of Genetic Counselor
• Provide state standards for the profession
• Enable autonomy of practice
• Provide a larger voice in Legislation impacting
  genetic services in Texas
• Provide potential for independent billing

16
2007 Texas Legislative Session

• We got REAL close!
• Sponsor Senator Jane Nelson of Plano. Chair,
  Senate Health Human Services Committee
• Much progress with TMA! Together a bill was
  drafted. However agreement could not be reached
  on the definitions of delegation and
  supervision, so bill was not submitted at the
  11th hour
• Positive Discussions with TMA (Dan
  Finch-Legislative Affairs) continue for the 2009
  Legislative Session.

17
GC Licensure TMA

• TMA wants GC Licensure under the Texas Medical
  Board
• Genetic Counselors would be the first group that
  TMA is actually supporting for Licensure
• Pitfalls we are allowing TMA to be involved in
  our practice. Regulatory board would have both
  MDs and GCs.

18

• No Bill is Better than a Bad Bill

19
NSGC Involvement

• NSGC pursuing Federal Legislation
• Recognition as a provider, ability to bill
  Medicare and Medicaid independently
• NSGC must review all state licensure bills and
  approve them before providing support
• NSGC working on increasing reimbursement rates
  and availability with 3rd Party Payors
• NSGC Hired a professional Lobbyist John
  Richardson

20
Consider Joining!

• Join TSGC
• Benefits beyond just Licensure
• Participate in a committee with local Texas
  counselors
• Expand your networking base
• Be a groundbreaker!