---

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF
RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS

PRESS RELEASE

Attention Grassroots Members:

On March 13, 2001, Representative Heather Wilson (R-NM) introduced the CARE bill into the 107 U.S. Congress. Look for the bill to appear on the internet http://thomas.loc.gov within the next few days.

Ms. Wilson currently only has four co-sponsors at present. These are: Evans (D-IL), Rahall (D-WV), Doyle (D-PA) and Duncan (R-TN). We originally had 17 co-sponsors last congressional session. Three of the co-sponsors are democrat while Ms. Wilson is a republican. To remain bipartisan, more republican co-sponsorship is needed. All RTs should contact their US House Representative to elicit added co-sponsorship for the CARE bill.

Why Support the CARE Act?

Millions of Americans undergo x-ray examinations, CT scans, MRI scans and other diagnostic imaging tests every year. This bill will help ensure that these examinations meet a high standard of quality.

The bill, titled the Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence (CARE ) Act, calls on the federal government to establish educational and credentialing standards for personnel who plan and deliver radiation therapy and perform all types of diagnostic imaging procedures except medical ultrasound.  States would be required to meet the federal minimum standards or risk losing Medicaid reimbursement for radiologic procedures.

The CARE Act is designed to amend the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981.  The 1981 law established minimum standards for the education and credentialing of radiologic technologists.  Because compliance with the 1981 Act is voluntary, only 35 states have enacted licensure laws for radiographers, only 28 states license radiation therapists, and only 21 states license nuclear medicine technologists.  In states where no licensure exists, individuals are permitted to perform radiologic procedures without any formal education and sometimes after only a few weeks of on-the-job training.

The lack of uniform standards nationwide for operators of medical imaging and radiation therapy equipment poses a hazard to the patient and jeopardizes quality health care; accurate diagnosis and effective treatment can be provided only when personnel are properly educated in anatomy, technique, equipment operation and radiation safety. Passage of the CARE Act will improve the overall quality of American health care.  It will help ensure that quality diagnostic information is presented for interpretation and that accurate radiation therapy treatments are delivered, leading to timely diagnosis, treatment and cure.

Seven out of 10 Americans undergo some type of medical imaging exam or radiation therapy treatment annually," added Representative Lazio.  "This legislation will mean improved care for patients -- fewer retakes, higher quality images and less exposure to radiation.

The CARE Act is backed by the Alliance for Quality Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, a coalition of 12 radiologic science organizations that represents more than 200,000 health care professionals.  It also has support from a number of patient groups and health care organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association's Council on Cardiovascular Radiology, the Cancer Research Foundation of America and the American College of Radiology.

"Most Americans assume that the person taking their x-ray, performing their CT scan or delivering their radiation therapy is a qualified professional," said Michael DelVecchio, president of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, a membership organization that represents more than 86,000 medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals nationwide.  "The fact is, poorly trained individuals examine and treat thousands of patients in this country every day.  The CARE Act will ensure that patients will no longer have to wonder about the qualifications of people performing radiologic examinations."

The bill represents thousands of hours of effort by people who are concerned about improving the quality of patient care; however, much work still lies ahead for supporters of the CARE Act. In preparation for its reintroduction, In the House of Representatives, ASRT and grassroots members are working to gain support for a companion bill in the Senate.

For an update on the CARE Act click here:
ASRT Government Relations
Library of Congress Web Site

For more information or assistance on this very important issue, you may contact:
DuVonne Campbell
Vice President of Member Services
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
15000 Central Ave SE
Albuquerque, NM 87123
(505) 298-4500 ext. 248 or 800-444-2778 ext. 248
FAX (505) 298-5063
dcampbell@asrt.org

---

Did you know Oklahoma is one of thirteen States that does not have a licensure law for those individuals performing x-rays on the public?

Imagine, laying on the operating room table and hearing the surgeon say " this may take more than once because I'm still trying to learn how to do this?" That would never happen, right? But would you believe something similar to that, involving radiation, probably occurs daily right here in our State.
Secretaries, Assistants, Janitors, and others have been brought into x-ray departments and shown how to "point and click" sending radiation streaming through the air and even more importantly. . .into you the patient!

The same State that governs who can cut your hair, who can sell you insurance, or provide you with in-home care has yet to pass any legislation on who can irradiate you for medical purposes. Even though the legislature had a bill introduced to them on behalf of the OSRT, Inc., they voted no.

Unregistered technicians taking x-rays can become good at what they do. With enough practice, you could become a professional golfer. However, when untrained technicians learn "on the job" they are practicing on you or your family. Is it right that a twenty year old girl should have x-rays of her pelvis taken repeatedly because the film was too dark, too light, or maybe wasn't positioned just right? Or should the Doctor develop a diagnoses from your x-rays because they were "good enough"? Who's taking your x-rays? Do they know what they are doing?

Who's Radiating You? is a campaign of the Oklahoma Society of Radiologic Technologist, Inc. to inform the public about the expense and safety issues involved when technicians do your x-rays instead of trained Radiological Technologist. There are many programs throughout the State educating and training students in proper positioning and exposure techniques. These students then are required to pass a Registry examination to be able to practice as a Registered Radiological Technologist.

Help us help you by contacting the OSRT, Inc. and letting us send you more information on how we can get a State Licensure law .

Copyright© 2002  Oklahoma Society of Radiologic Technologists, Inc.

Web Services provided by:
 Web Hosting Company  Shopping Cart Software  Custom Web Site Design