When physicians jump into the political fray, their contributions mirror the general public’s party affiliation trends: a high degree of polarization, with men and higher-income specialties more likely to donate to Republicans, according to an analysis of campaign donations.

A study of imaging utilization in the emergency department (ED) of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston has shown that after more than a decade of increasing use, overall imaging relative value units decreased significantly between 2007 and 2012.

The U.S. isn’t the only country looking to better understand diagnostic imaging utilization trends. A report from the University of Sydney found Australian general practitioners may be too quick to order imaging tests during initial examinations.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently unveiled the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule, which largely directed cuts at radiation therapy centers and radiation oncology rather than imaging.

As part of its Vision 2020 initiative, Siemens announced May 7 that it plans a major restructuring of the company, including having its healthcare unit managed as a separate business under the Siemens umbrella.

Medicare code bundling of CT of the abdomen and pelvis results in a large reduction in reimbursements for imaging, according to a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

The U.S. population isn’t getting any younger. Baby boomers are reaching retirement and the age at which they are most at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease. Meanwhile, the obesity epidemic continues and the economy is recovering from the recession. What do all these factors mean for healthcare in general, and imaging specifically?

During a college internship, a mentor once told me that journalists are born procrastinators. It’s not out of laziness, he said.