Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga, and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan have received the 2010 American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Radiologic Science Advocacy Award.
The ASRT, based in Albuquerque, selected the two Washington leaders for their work supporting quality medical imaging and for supporting H.R. 3652, the Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (aka “CARE”) bill that is presently making its way through Congress.
HR 3652, currently in committee, is designed to ensure that patients undergoing all types of radiologic procedures “have the same assurance of quality as those receiving mammograms under the provisions of the Mammography Quality Standards Act.”
Rep. Barrow and Sen. Stabenow will be presented with the awards on March 9, 2010, during the ASRT’s 12th annual R.T. in D.C. advocacy event in Washington, D.C.
Ever since the fall of 2009 when Cedar Sinai hospital in Los Angeles reported accidentally over exposing patients undergoing CT exams, overexposure to radiation has been in the media. CARE is one way that Congress is attempting to address concerns by patients, as well as clinicians and technologists.
Diane Mayo, R.T. (R), ASRT’s president, said in the award announcement, “By supporting the CARE bill, which would set certification standards in the Medicare program for the technical personnel providing, planning and delivering all medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy, Rep. Barrow and Sen. Stabenow are leading the charge to improve patient care for all individuals who undergo procedures involving radiation.”
Both Rep. Barrow and Sen. Stabenow have a strong background in health care legislation, including issues involving medical imaging and radiation therapy.
Visit www.ASRT.org.com for more information.
(Source: Press Release)
