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| Congresswoman Wilson Offers Bill To Ensure Patients Receive High Quality Radiologic Exams |
March 12, 2003 |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congresswoman Heather Wilson has introduced a bill designed to ensure that health care professionals performing x-rays, CT scans and other radiologic therapy are highly trained. Under current law, basic training standards are voluntary, which allows individuals to perform radiologic procedures without any formal education and sometimes after only a few weeks of on-the-job training. “Most Americans assume that the person taking their x-ray, performing their CT scan or delivering their radiation therapy is a qualified professional,” said Wilson. “This legislation will ensure that the people performing radiologic examinations are qualified.” Wilson’s bill, titled the Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence (CARE) bill, directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish educational and credentialing standards for personnel who plan and deliver radiation therapy and perform all types of diagnostic imaging procedures except medical ultrasound. States would be required to meet the federal minimum standards or risk losing Medicaid reimbursement for radiologic procedures. The CARE bill would amend the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act, a 1981 law that established minimum standards for the education and credentialing of radiologic technologists. Because compliance with the 1981 Act is voluntary, only 35 states have enacted licensure laws for radiographers, only 28 states license radiation therapists, and only 21 states license nuclear medicine technologists. In states where no licensure exists, individuals are permitted to perform radiologic procedures without any formal education and sometimes after only a few weeks of on-the-job training. “The lack of uniform standards nationwide for operators of medical imaging and radiation therapy equipment represents a little known risk to patients,” said Wilson. “Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment can be provided only when personnel are properly educated in anatomy, technique, equipment operation and radiation safety. Not only will uniform standards guarantee higher quality images, it will also help reduce patients’ exposure to radiation,” she said. “High quality diagnostic information is critical to ensuring that patients receive the proper diagnosis, treatment and cure.”
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