Brenda
Rice will be attending the 15th annual American Society of
Radiologic Technology, R.T. in D.C. grassroots advocacy event in Washington,
D.C. on March 3-5th, acting as an affiliate member on behalf of the
Maine Society of Radiologic Technologists. This event, R.T. in D.C., brings together 150
attendees including Registered Diagnostic Imaging Professionals, Radiation Therapists,
students, etc. from across the United States. It provides an opportunity for
professional training, working with lobbying experts and learning skills that
are used on Capitol Hill to advocate for legislative issues that affect our State
Society.
The
introduction of the CARE Bill was to establish educational and certification standards
for those working in a healthcare setting, who perform various medical imaging
examinations, including radiation therapy.
The
ASRT has introduced House and Senate bills that pursue basic educational and
certification standards for healthcare workers who administer radiologic
procedures in each state across the country. The passage of the bill would
require minimum standards set by the federal government for personnel who perform
medical imaging exams and deliver radiation therapy treatments.
If
this bill was passed, it would ensure national safety and quality assurance
measures for patients undergoing all types of radiologic procedures. Brenda’s
goal is to meet with our State Representatives and Senators to discuss the
importance of federal standards for medical imaging professionals and establish
guidelines moving forward that would provide more equitable healthcare services
for patients across the country. Repeated radiologic examinations and poor
quality images cost the health care system millions of dollars annually; not to
include excessive exposure to radiation.
