CARE Act Reintroduced in House Aims to set Standards for Radiation Therapists and Radiologic Technologists

The Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence (CARE) in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Bill has been introduced in the U.S. House as HR 2104 by 19 sponsors.

This legislation seeks an amendment  to the Public Health Service Act and title XVIII of the Social Security Act “to make the provision of technical services for medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments safer, more accurate and less costly,” according to  the bill available at www.asrt.org.

The bill shoots for Jan. 1, 2014, as the date to set standards for “personnel who perform or plan the technical component of either medical imaging examinations or radiation therapy procedures for medical purposes.”

SROA is part of an alliance that seeks to ensure “a minimum level of education, knowledge and skills” through federal minimum standards. Those standards, as defined by the current legislation,  cover certification by entities recognized by the Secretary and adherence to state or local regulations on licensure, certification or registration, which can include educational levels. The bill exempts physicians and nurse and physician practitioners who work in radiation oncology and medical imaging.

To learn more about the legislation, look under the “Political Connections” link on this page. Then contact your Congressional representatives and Senators to promote the bill.