How Have Radiology Related Bills Fared in States?

The American College of Radiology^® (ACR^®) state affairs team tracks state legislation as it relates to radiology and healthcare. While many state legislatures have adjourned for the year, there are a few that are still actively meeting. Below we highlight some of the bills ACR is tracking. 

Scope of Practice

California

Assembly Bill (AB) 1215 is awaiting its first committee hearing. If passed, this bill would allow podiatrists, nurse practitioners (NPs), nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), nurse midwives (CNMs) and other non-physician providers (NPPs) to be part of medical staffs. Currently, it is limited to licensed physicians and surgeons.

Connecticut

Senate Bill (SB) 1069 died in committee. This bill would have allowed “naturopathic physicians” to prescribe all medications.

Kansas

House Bill (HB) 2219 passed the House and is awaiting action by the Senate. If passed, this bill would enjoin Kansas into the physician assistant (PA) licensure compact. This compact allows PAs who meet the compact’s eligibility requirements to practice in other compact states.

Kentucky

HB 117 died in committee. It would have allowed physical therapists (PTs) to order imaging and other “tests” with no limitations. A test was defined as “a standard method or technique used to gather data about the patient or client, including but not limited to imaging, electrodiagnostic, and electrophysiologic tests and measures.” 

Montana

HB 459 died in committee. This bill would have increased the number of PAs on the Montana Board of Medical Examiners from one to two. 

Minnesota

Senate File (SF) 1084 died in committee. It would have changed the title of physician assistant (PA) to “physician associate.” 

North Carolina

HB 67 passed the House and is awaiting consideration by the Senate. If passed, this bill would enjoin North Carolina into the interstate medical licensure compact. This allows physicians who meet the compact’s eligibility requirements to practice medicine in other compact states.

Rhode Island

SB 198 passed the Senate and is awaiting action by the House. This bill would remove a sunset provision in Rhode Island that permits PTs to order diagnostic imaging through Dec. 31, 2025.

Texas

HB 1756 died in committee. It would have allowed advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests.

HB 2532 died in committee. It would have allowed APRNs to order perform and interpret diagnostic tests.

SB 911 failed to advance out of committee. This bill would have granted independent practice to APRNs who have completed 3,000 clinical practice hours.

Certificate of Need (CON)

West Virginia

HB 2007 died in committee. This bill would have mandated that on Jan. 1, 2026, no healthcare facility would have been required to obtain a certificate of need (CON) to operate in West Virginia. 

Out-of-Network/Surprise/Balance Billing

Illinois

HB 3721 is awaiting a hearing in the House Rules Committee. If passed, this bill would require that, after Jan. 1, 2027, any health insurance or managed care plan must provide coverage for emergency medical services delivered by an out-of-network provider on the same terms as coverage that would be provided for an in-network provider.

Oklahoma

SB 1047 died in committee. If passed, the bill would have made the following changes regarding surprise billing in Oklahoma:

• An out-of-network provider or out-of-network facility shall not surprise bill a covered person for emergency care.
• An out-of-network provider shall not surprise bill a covered person for health care services that are not emergency care and are rendered at an in-network facility.

Telemedicine

West Virginia

SB 167 died in committee. It would have allowed medical providers, who were permitted to practice telemedicine in West Virginia during the COVID-19 state of emergency, to continue to practice telemedicine in the state.

For more information about these bills, contact Dillon Harp, ACR Senior State Government Relations Specialist.