Public Policy Update

January 12, 2012

MLA and AAHSL Comment on Public Access Policies

On December 20, MLA and AAHSL submitted joint comments to the Office of Science Technology Policy (OSTP) which address several issues regarding public access to peer-reviewed scholarly publications resulting from federally funded research including:

Economic benefits of public access to new research findings,
Protection of intellectual property interests,
The pros and cons of centralized and decentralized approaches to managing and maintaining custody of published content to peer-reviewed scholarly publications,
Models for public-private partnerships, and
A recommendation for an appropriate embargo period for providing public access following publication.

The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 calls upon OSTP to coordinate with agencies to develop policies that ensure widespread public access to and long-term stewardship of the results of federally funded unclassified research. Towards that goal, OSTP has issued two RFIs soliciting public input on long-term preservation of and public access to the results of federally funded research, including digital data and peer-reviewed scholarly publications.

MLA Comments on Reform of Hospital and Critical Access Hospital Conditions of Participation

MLA has submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on the proposed rule to revise the requirements that hospitals and critical access hospitals must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The proposed rule seeks to reduce the regulatory burden placed on hospitals, maximize patient safety, and reflect current industry standards. MLA’s comments address proposed new provisions

“that would allow a hospital to use pre-printed and electronic standing orders, order sets, and protocols for patient orders if the hospital (1) establishes that such orders and protocols have been reviewed and approved by the medical staff in consultation with the hospital’s nursing and pharmacy leadership (2) demonstrates that such orders and protocols are consistent with national recognized and evidence-based guidelines; and (3) ensures that the periodic and regular review of such orders and protocols is conducted by the medical staff in consultation with the hospital’s nursing and pharmacy leadership to determine the continuing usefulness and safety of the orders and protocols…”

MLA supported these proposed changes in principle, noting that these would do much to advance the practice of evidence-based medicine. Recommended revising Section 482 (c)(3) to include a professional health sciences librarian on the team of personnel to ensure more consistent care for all patients and the practice of evidence-based medicine.

Action Alert

On December 16, a new bill, “The Research Works Act” (HR 3699) was introduced by Representatives Issa (R-CA) and Maloney (D-NY) and referred to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The bill would roll back the NIH Public Access Policy and block the development of similar policies at other federal agencies. The library community is encouraged to contact your U.S. House member, especially if they sit on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and express your opposition to this legislation. The complete action alert can be found here.