SICP NEWS ARCHIVES 2006

 

News Release
RadCARE Bill Passes Senate; time runs out in House

Legislation to be reintroduced in Congress in 2007

Dec. 11, 2006

The U.S. House of Representatives adjourned in the predawn hours of Saturday, Dec. 9, without taking action on the Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence (CARE) bill. The bill was unanimously approved in the Senate on Dec. 6, before being forwarded to the House for a vote. Time wasn’t on the bill’s side. The House of Representatives received the Senate version of the bill less than 72 hours Congress adjourned for the year, and it did not make it to the floor for a vote.

The bill is designed to set minimum educational and credentialing standards for medical imaging technologists (including those working in catheterization and EP laboratories), radiation therapists and medical physicists. One passed, these standards must be met to receive reimbursement for medical imaging or radiation therapy performed on patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid or any program under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The CARE bill will be reintroduced quickly to the 110th session of Congress when it convenes in January 2007.


December 6, 2006
US Senate Unanimously Passes RadCARE Bill
Bill Proceeds to House for Vote

ALBUQUERQUE - The U.S. Senate on Dec. 6 unanimously passed RadCARE bill, S. 2322, the Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence bill. The bill was sent to the full Senate for a vote after gaining approval from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Sept. 20, which amended the bill by adding a sunset provision, requiring the legislation to be reauthorized periodically.

RadCARE bill, S. 2322 sets minimum educational and credentialing standards for medical imaging technologists (including cath and EP techs), radiation therapists and medical physicists. The standards must be met to receive reimbursement for medical imaging examinations or radiation therapy treatments performed on patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid or any program under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The bill next will move to the U.S. House of Representatives for a floor vote. If the House does not vote on the bill before it recesses, the bill will have to be reintroduced when Congress reconvenes in Januay.