2/21/2006 - AMA to Support ACR Efforts Against Deficit Reduction ACT Imaging Cuts
The American Medical Association has pledged to work with the ACR in an effort to negate the effects of Medicare imaging reimbursement cuts contained in the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act (DRA).
Michael D. Maves, MD, MBA, executive vice president and CEO of the AMA, informed James P. Borgstede, MD, chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors, and ACR Vice Chair Arl Van Moore, Jr, MD, of the decision in a recent letter.
Said Maves: "The AMA and many other organizations had problems with the entire process by which this bill was developed…like the American College of Radiology, we [the AMA] were surprised to see the provision equalizing payment rates for technical component imaging services provided in physician offices and hospital outpatient departments. We will be happy to work with you to modify these policies."
The ACR thanks the AMA for its response and looks forward to working with all interested parties in implementing a more comprehensive and rational policy regarding medical imaging. ACR leadership and staff have been and will continue to work with health care organizations and government entities to combat the short-sighted cuts for out-of-hospital medical imaging procedures in the bill, which may force many physicians to stop offering much needed imaging services or limit the number of Medicare patients they receive, stifle research and development of medical technologies that will save or extend lives, and may force radiologists in rural areas to relocate to hospitals in larger cities.
