12/8/2006 - Congress Fails to Act on DRA Cuts


Despite the best efforts and long hours of work by the ACR membership, leadership, and staff, and our Access to Medical Imaging Coalition (AMIC) colleagues, legislation to delay the implementation of the imaging cuts contained in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) will not be passed by Congress prior to its adjournment. Therefore, the cuts will become effective on January 1, 2007.

I am deeply disappointed that Congress was unable to delay this DRA policy that many Capitol Hill lawmakers readily admitted was enacted through a closed-door process without any thought to how this policy will affect patients' timely access to medical imaging services.

The College worked tirelessly to provide Congress with meaningful imaging reform based on improving quality and increasing patient safety, but Congress consciously chose not to make this a priority.

The ACR, and our partners in AMIC, a broad coalition representing manufacturers, patient advocacy groups, and physicians, lobbied extensively throughout the waning days of Congress to delay implementation of the DRA cuts.

Although we did not achieve our ultimate goal of delaying the implementation of the DRA cuts, our staff did a terrific job of making sure there were no additional unnecessary cuts to imaging, which were, at one point, under active consideration.

I want to personally thank those ACR members who worked throughout this process with ACR leadership and staff to advance our cause by contributing to RADPAC, hosting meetings and events with members of Congress, and contacting their lawmakers regarding this issue.

Be assured that the ACR will continue to work to enact responsible imaging reimbursement policies that are based on quality and safety for our patients.

The College will, of course, keep members informed of developments as we continue to press this important issue before our nation's 110th Congress, which convenes in January.

Sincerely,

Arl Van Moore, Jr, MD, FACR
Chair
American College of Radiology Board of Chancellors