Care Bill Information

Why Should You CARE?

The Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (CARE) Bill, has been a high priority for the ASRT and other states around the country for the last 10 years. I have noticed, though, when I ask a technologist in Indiana about the CARE bill, most know very little about it.

We have been spoiled as technologists in Indiana. Indiana has been lucky to have a strong licensure law for medical imaging personnel since around 1982. Did you know that to this day there are still 16 states that have partial or no licensure laws for medical imaging personnel? This means that a person with no knowledge of anatomy or radiation safety can be hired to perform any medical imaging exam. What should this mean to you? Do you have friends or family living one of these states? What happens if you have to move to another state with partial or no licensure law? A doctor’s receptionist taking x-rays, a recent high school graduate hired to work in CT. These are real examples of unqualified people working in non-licensure states today. With the focus now being on every person having access to health care, shouldn’t everyone also have the right to have medical imaging exams performed by qualified people?

The CARE Bill has been fought for in Congress for 10 years now. In the House, it is known as bill HR 583. The Senate version is known as S 1042. This bill will require healthcare facilities offering medical imaging exams to make sure the personnel performing these exams meet the minimal education standards as a requirement for reimbursement by Medicare. This year if we all get involved, we have a good chance of finally getting this very important legislation passed!

As Technologists, we should be angry that this bill hasn’t been passed sooner! You are required to have a license to cut hair, and do nails, yet to expose someone to potentially harmful radiation, there are no national standards! We need to write, e-mail, and call our Senators and Representatives to let them know it is time that they get on board with making sure this important legislation passes! We can no longer sit back and watch others work to make our profession better. This bill affects every technologist working in the United States including you, so tell me, how could you not CARE!

Kelly Hardin RT(R) (CT)
2007-2008 President ISRT

Historical Timeline of the Current Care Bill

January 2007 - the 110th Congress convenes. H.R. 583, now known as the “Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence (CARE) in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Bill” is introduced on January 19th by Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA-14) and referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee Chaired by Rep. John Dingell (D-MI-15) Health Subcommittee Chaired by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6). The bill matches the Senate RadCare bill that was passed by the Senate in December 2006.

March 29, 2007- Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) introduce the Care Bill as S.1042 which is referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee chaired by Senator Ted Kennedy. Senator Enzi is the ranking member of the HELP Committee.

Also during this month, the ASRT hosts the 9th R.T. in DC.meeting with over 150 attendees. The ASRT award for Excellence in Radiologic Science Advocacy is presented to Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA-9).

June 2007- the Society for Vascular Ultrasound joins the alliance. H.R. 583 has 117 co-sponsors and S.1042 has 22 co-sponsors by the end of the month. ASRT hosts its 8th grassroots network breakfast in Albuquerque, NM. David Leclair, B.S., R.T.(R) and Tom Davis, R.T. (R)(CT), and the North Carolina Society of Radiologic Technologists are presented with the Outstanding Grass Roots Advocacy Awards.

March 2008- on March 13th, S. 1042 passed the Senate Health, Energy, Llabor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The HELP committee is the senate committee that has jurisdiction over S. 1042. This bill will now go before the Senate Finance Committee for review and approval.

Congress is on spring recess. So nothing has been done in regards to Congress passing H.R. 583 at this time.

Currently - the house bill, H.R. 583 has 142 co-sponsors and the Senate Bill—S. 1042 has 24 co-sponsors.

House CARE Bill (HR583)
Senate CARE Bill (S1042)

How can you help?

Contact Congrass to voice your support and ask for theirs.

Would you like to contact your representative or senator, but don’t know exactly what to say?  Lesson 101 on how to write a letter to your Congressman or Senator.

List of members from House of Representatives who have signed 

List of Senators who have signed

2008 RT in DC Indiana Delegates with Rep Dan Burton

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