ACR Makes Presence Known at Conventions
ACR continued its commitment to raising the profile of radiology among our federal lawmakers by sending ACR leadership and staff to both the Democratic National Convention in Boston and the Republican National Convention in New York City.
Attending the national conventions provided a unique opportunity for College leadership and staff to solidify the ACR's role as a powerful ally in the health care community and further demonstrated radiology's commitment to supporting candidates who play a key role in decisions affecting both radiology and all of medicine. At both conventions ACR leaders and staff were able to discuss radiology-related issues with influential lawmakers.
Democratic National Convention (July 24-28, 2004)
During the Democratic National Convention in Boston, the ACR was well represented by Board of Chancellors Vice Chair, Arl Van Moore, Jr, MD. Moore attended several events including one where he was interviewed by a reporter from USA Today. The following day's edition of the nationally circulated newspaper included some of Moore's comments in an article titled, "Action in the Lobbies Rivals That in the Arena."
At another event honoring the Massachusetts congressional delegation and co-hosted by the ACR, Moore and members of the Massachusetts Radiological Society discussed radiology issues with Democratic leaders, including Sen Ron Wyden (Ore), Rep Richard Neal (Mass), Rep Tim Holden (Pa), and Rep Jerry Costello (Ill).
The ACR also co-hosted an event later in the week honoring Democratic members who had voted to bolster Medicare payments to physicians or voted in favor of professional liability reform. Democratic members honored included Sen Max Baucus (Mont), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee; Sen Jeff Bingaman (NM), member of the Senate Finance Committee; Rep Sherrod Brown (Ohio), ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health; and Rep Bart Gordon (Tenn), who also serves on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.
Republican National Convention (August 29-September 2, 2004)
A larger contingent of ACR leadership that included Board of Chancellors Chair Jim Borgstede, MD, Vice Chair Arl Van Moore, MD, and ACR Executive Director Harvey L. Neiman, MD, attended the Republican National Convention in New York City. ACR leaders participated in many events during the week, as well as attending the convention itself. ACR leadership was given the rare privilege of walking the convention floor while the convention was in session. Joining Drs Borgstede, Moore, and Neiman in New York were radiology residents Greg Russo, MD, and Michael D'Angelo, MD.
During the week of the Republican convention ACR leaders and staff discussed radiology-related issues with congressional leaders such as Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (Tenn); Sen Trent Lott (Miss), member of the Senate Finance Committee; Sen Susan Collins (Maine); and Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (Ill).
At an event co-sponsored by the College, the ACR, along with other medical specialties, had the opportunity to honor several Republican lawmakers for their hard work on behalf of the medical community. Among the honorees were Sen Charles Grassley (Iowa), chair of the Senate Finance Committee that oversees Medicare issues in the Senate; Sen John Ensign (Nev); Rep Nancy Johnson, chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee; and Rep James Greenwood (Pa).