CMS Launches Ditch the Disk Imaging Exchange Workgroup
CMS launched a Diagnostic Imaging Acceleration Workgroup to focus on making imaging data seamlessly and electronically retrievable across organizations, within clinical workflows and by patients. It is modeled on goals long championed by the ACR®-led #DitchTheDisk campaign, launched in 2019.
Read moreACR at NMA Convention Shares Community Health/Leadership Programs
ACR®, through the Radiology Health Equity Coalition (RHEC) and the Pipeline Initiative for the Enrichment of Radiology, showed its commitment to community health, population health and workforce development during programs at the National Medical Association Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly.
Read moreACR-backed Senate Bill Targets Medicare Payment Volatility
An ACR-backed bill was introduced in the US Senate to reduce steep year-to-year Medicare payment swings and stabilize the program.
Read moreAs we wrap up February and enter a new month, it is important to stay up to date on issues ranging from Scope of Practice to telehealth.
Arizona
Senate Bill (SB) 1238 would enjoin Arizona into the Physician Assistant (PA) licensure compact. This compact allows PAs who meet their eligibility requirements to practice in other compact states.
Iowa
Senate File (SF) 2190 would change the terminology from “physician assistant” to “physician associate.”
Illinois
House Bill (HB) 4779/ SB 3238 would permit advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to administer radiation to humans and supervise personnel engaged in radiation administration.
Mississippi
HB 515/ SB 2549 would permit radiology assistants (RAs) to share the radiologist's final or preliminary interpretations with other healthcare professionals. This bill also states that RAs are prohibited from interpreting images, making diagnoses, or prescribing treatments.
SB 2545 would allow certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) who have completed 8,000 clinical practice hours to practice without a collaborative relationship with a licensed physician.
New Mexico
HB 277 would create a Scope of Practice Advisory Committee within the New Mexico Department of Health.
Rhode Island
SB 2458 would enjoin Rhode Island into the interstate medical licensure compact.
Rhode Island
SB 2459 would establish a comprehensive ban on the corporate practice of medicine within the state. This bill would also require healthcare entities to disclose detailed ownership, control, and organizational information to the Department of Health, by January 1, 2027.
Kansas
SB 467 would mandate that all medical necessity decisions be made exclusively by licensed physicians or qualified healthcare professionals after reviewing individual clinical information.
Maryland
HB 795 would require carriers to provide for human review of adverse decisions made by AI in utilization review.
Massachusetts
H 5017 would allow physicians licensed in Massachusetts to deliver telehealth services from any location within or outside the state, provided patient confidentiality and licensing restrictions are maintained.
For more information about these bills, contact Dillon Harp, ACR® Senior State Government Relations Specialist.
ACR is committed to supporting its chapters in their state-level advocacy efforts. The College also has resources available for members through the State Issues page and can assist with the delivery of legislative calls-to-action and grassroots mobilization.
ACR has partnered with Fiscal Note, a legislation and regulation tracking service, to provide continuous, comprehensive updates on radiology- and healthcare-related legislation. To stay current on state legislative developments relevant to radiology, view the ACR policy map or receive state-specific reports from Fiscal Note.
For state-level calls to action or to sign up to receive Fiscal Note reports, chapter leaders should contact Eugenia Brandt, ACR Senior Government Relations Director, or Melody Ballesteros, ACR Assistant Director of Government Relations.
