A call for more tomosynthesis in the Big Apple

The second highest ranking elected official in New York City is requesting $4 million in public monies to expand access to digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT).

“I urge Governor Cuomo and I urge Mayor de Blasio to … provide and expand access to this amazing technology, which is much more accurate, reduces false positives and saves lives,” Public Advocate Letitia James said at a press conference Oct. 25, according to the Observer.  

James wants New York State’s Medicaid program to add DBT coverage and for NYC Health + Hospitals to invest in the technology.

The latter operates the largest municipal healthcare system in the country. And the ask comes at a time when it’s troubling over a $1.8 billion budget shortfall projected for 2020, the Observer reports.

NYC Health + Hospitals told the outlet by email that it “will monitor research on the use of DBT and other developing technologies” as part of its ongoing efforts to optimize care quality for all its patients.

The Observer says there’s been no word yet from the governor’s office on James’s Medicaid request.

Read the article:

Dave Pearson

Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.