Technologists descend on Capitol Hill to promote CARE Bill
A record number of radiologic technologists and students traveled to Washington, D.C., and visited with their congressional leaders for the ninth annual R.T. in D.C. grass-roots lobbying event, March 18-20. The event is sponsored by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. The organization expects that as a result of the visit that more support has been gained from congressional leaders.
This year, 150 members of ASRT and the Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section visited the offices of approximately 375 representatives and senators to encourage support for the CARE bill.
The Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill would require those who perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures to meet minimum federal education and credentialing standards in order to participate in federal health programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, such as Medicare and Medicaid. The Senate version of the bill was passed in December 2006, but the congressional session ended before the House version of the bill could be brought up for a vote.
ASRT said it expects 20 more representatives to cosponsor the bill, in addition to the 44 currently cosponsoring the bill. The bill’s sponsor in the House, Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Penn.), hopes to get a total of 75 cosponsors before asking the Health Subcommittee chairman, Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), to move the bill to the full Committee on Energy and Commerce. ASRT expects the Senate to introduce its version of the bill after its Easter recess.
This year, 150 members of ASRT and the Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section visited the offices of approximately 375 representatives and senators to encourage support for the CARE bill.
The Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill would require those who perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures to meet minimum federal education and credentialing standards in order to participate in federal health programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, such as Medicare and Medicaid. The Senate version of the bill was passed in December 2006, but the congressional session ended before the House version of the bill could be brought up for a vote.
ASRT said it expects 20 more representatives to cosponsor the bill, in addition to the 44 currently cosponsoring the bill. The bill’s sponsor in the House, Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Penn.), hopes to get a total of 75 cosponsors before asking the Health Subcommittee chairman, Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), to move the bill to the full Committee on Energy and Commerce. ASRT expects the Senate to introduce its version of the bill after its Easter recess.