CARE Bill is Making Progress

The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography recently announced that the "Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy" (CARE bill; Senate 1042) recently passed the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee. This step is an important milestone in the SDMS' effort to pass this major legislation.

The specific wording of the CARE bill states:

"To amend the Public Health Service Act to make the provision of technical services for medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments safer, more accurate, and less costly."

I have written before about the CARE bill in a previous blog. According to recent SDMS news release, the Senate Finance Committee has expressed interest in the bill's provisions because of the potential cost savings from a reduction in repeated studies. The bill is expected to not only reduce the cost of medical services by reducing the number of repeat examinations, but it is also expected to require credentialing and education standards for sonographers and other imaging professionals.

Thus, it would likely improve the overall quality of care. That can only mean good things for patients, as well for as those sonography providers who are fulfilling their roles in terms of delivering high-quality patient care. Meanwhile, those providers doing sub-standard services may be looking at problems down the road. I'll keep you updated as the CARE Bill advances through the oh-so-sluggish legal process. 

Click here to read more details about the CARE bill.