Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Reps. Pete Olson (R-TX), Mike Doyle (D-PA), Dave Reichert (R-WA, Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and Ron Kind (D-WI) re-introduced H.R. 1904, the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation would allow for Medicare coverage of qualified Radiologist Assistant (RA) services.
“This common sense, bipartisan bill will provide America’s seniors with more efficient healthcare, while saving jobs and money,” Rep. Pete Olson said. “This bill fills critical gaps in doctor shortages by utilizing Radiologist Assistants. This measure will improve the quality of care and ensure timely access to diagnostic and interventional imaging procedures. I’m pleased to join my colleagues in reintroducing this bill and look forward to seeing it become law.”
“Seniors rely on radiology services. They are indispensable when detecting diseases or abnormalities within the body,” Rep. Dave Reichert said. “With growing doctor shortages, highly trained radiology assistants have played an important role in making sure our seniors get this critical care. We must make sure these potentially life-saving services performed by Radiology Assistants are covered by Medicare. It is what makes sense and it is what is right.”
“Most Americans are deeply concerned about the skyrocketing cost of healthcare,” Rep. Mike Doyle observed. “A number of us in Congress are looking for ways to reduce health care costs while maintaining- or even improving- the quality of care provided. This bipartisan bill would improve patient access to care and ensure that radiology and radiology assistants, working together, provide the highest-quality, most-effective medical imaging possible for Medicare beneficiaries.”
“Anything that improves care and strengthens our health care workforce is a no-brainer,” Rep. Bill Pascrell said. “I am proud to re-introduce this bill so that highly qualified health care professionals, including those from Radiologist Assistant programs like the one at Rutgers School of Health Related Professions in New Jersey, are recognized for the integral part they play on the radiology team. Ensuring that Medicare pays Radiologist Assistants for the services they provide is one more step in solidifying care.”
“In addition to finding ways to lower health care costs for Wisconsinites, we need to work on ways to make our health care system more efficient. With shortages of qualified health professionals in rural areas, allowing Radiology Assistants to be covered under Medicare is a win-win, our seniors get access to affordable services and it is more efficient and cost-effective for the health care system,” Rep. Ron Kind said.
Background: The Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2017 would recognize RA’s as a non-physician Medicare provider and allows Medicare coverage for their services.