Legislative Issues

Diane Kosenko, Senator Blumenthal, Jay Derksen

So much depends upon the quality of medical imaging examinations. That’s why it is so surprising that 11 states and the District of Columbia allow people with little or no training to perform x-rays and other diagnostic imaging examinations. In 16 states, inadequately educated personnel are allowed to deliver radiation therapy designed to treat cancer, and in 22 states they are allowed to perform nuclear medicine procedures.

Connecticut is one of the states that requires licensure for its radiographers with a minimum educational requirement. Nonetheless, it is important to establish nationwide educational and credentialing standards for personnel who plan and deliver radiation therapy treatments and who perform many types of medical imaging examinations.

John Larson, Diane Kosenko, Jay Derksen

Congress has an opportunity to improve the quality of medical imaging and radiation therapy. The Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill, or CARE bill, would establish minimum standards for personnel who perform these procedures. It would ensure that personnel are qualified to produce the images doctors use to make life-saving decisions.

From June 13th to June 15th, CSRT representatives from 38 states convened in Washington DC to meet with members of Congress and ask for their sponsorship of the CARE Bill.

This year, Jay Derksen and Diane Kosenko were the CARE Bill team from Connecticut. They met with staff at all of our Representative's offices and both Senators.

The team's primary goal was to seek Congressional support for the Bill and elicit co-sponsorship from members of the house. Each of the meetings went well as the staff members appeared genuinely interested in the Bill and its goals.

For more information and to follow the latest developments, visit the CARE Bill page on the ASRT's website.