Strength in Numbers First and foremost, being an effective lobby. It is necessary to lobby the insurance carriers for adequate reimbursement levels. It is equally necessary to lobby legislators in Harrisburg for licensing, malpractice, and other issues that affect pathologists. However, for the PAP to be an effective lobby, it must have strength in numbers. Third party payers do not need problems with pathologists that could affect public relations with clients.
Politicians clearly listen to large numbers of voters.
Therefore, if the PAP is to be an effective lobby, it must demonstrate that it truly represents the pathologists of the Commonwealth. Hopefully, the PAP can also represent a forum for discussion of issues facing pathology. Changes in employment patterns have placed more pathologists in commercial laboratories. These individuals have concerns about working conditions that may compromise professional ethics. The PAP could offer a forum for discussion, and perhaps, prepare professional standards of conduct that could be endorsed by not only the membership but by third party payers and licensing agencies as well.