The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) applauded Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman, Senator Ron Wyden, D-OR, and ranking member, Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, for their bipartisan efforts to safeguard access to helium by introducing the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013 to prevent the premature closure of the Federal Helium Reserve.
Helium is an essential component used in the creation and operation of medical imaging equipment, such as magnetic resonance machines, which are critical to the advancement of medical research and the diagnosis of stroke, aneurysms, cancers, multiple sclerosis, and other diseases. In February, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) and Ranking Member Edward “Ed” Markey (D-MA) introduced the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act (H.R. 527), which was approved by the Natural Resources Committee last month. H.R. 527 is scheduled to be considered on the House floor later this week.
