RADVOCACY Newsletter Q3 2024

Hello Radvocates,

2024 has proven to be very busy on the advocacy front thus far! The American College of Radiology Annual Meeting took place in Washington D.C. last April, including Capitol Hill Day where over 450 radiologists and radiation oncologists of all career levels met with their Members of Congress to discuss key legislative and regulatory issues affecting our profession. Those key issues included proposed corrections to the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA), addressing the physician workforce crisis, Medicare Payment Reform, and the ongoing advocacy for federal breast imaging legislation. Given that this is a Presidential Election year, we will continue to advocate through the remainder of 2024 into 2025 for these critical issues to be addressed.

I was also proud to represent the American College of Radiology during the House Call on the Mall Event in June where approximately 100 physicians and dentists representing over 15 organizations met with federal elected officials in primarily The House of Representatives with jurisdiction over healthcare as well as allies of medical subspecialties, such as radiology. It was a very fruitful event and also highlighted the importance of us having a direct voice on Capitol Hill with these federal elected officials who are making pivotal healthcare decisions for our patients. It is important to remember that approximately 94% of Members of Congress do not have a healthcare background, so the more that we are on Capitol Hill advocating on behalf of our patients and access, the more beneficial it is to our profession as a whole when it is time for them to vote on critical pieces of pro radiology legislation. We are increasing our presence on Capitol Hill in addition to the tireless work our amazing Government Relations team is already carrying out. This new and improved boots-on-the-ground approach is necessary given the challenges we face in a competitive healthcare environment.

Hand-in-hand with this approach comes giving to RADPAC. Your dollars go towards pro-radiology federal elected officials. Every dollar counts in the fight for our patients and profession. If you haven’t given in 2024, I encourage you to give​, as there is no better time than the present.

As we continue to advocate for access to patient care and fair reimbursement for our services, coalition building and synergism are imperative, now more than ever. We look forward to your participation in our radvocacy efforts throughout 2024. As always, thank you for all you do for the House of Radiology and most importantly, our patients.