Reversing its role as a major contributor to the growth in Medicare spending in the early 2000s, medical imaging spending growth placed in the bottom 2 percent of spending growth categories in 2011, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/wcfn7t/global) has announced the addition of the "Global Electrophysiology (EP) Ablation Catheters - Market Growth Analysis, 2009-2015" report to their offering.

The total utilization rate for all ultrasound-guided (US-guided) procedures doubled between 2004 and 2010, according to an analysis of claims data published online Sept. 26 in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

As the U.S. healthcare system prepares to absorb an influx of new patients, one of the top stories from this past week revolved around one hospital’s work to expand services to a growing patient population.

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed an amended version of the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act, or HR 527, which was approved by the House of Representatives earlier this year. It still needs to be officially signed into law, but this is a major step to averting a helium shortage that had been looming for months.

Medical imaging equipment purchasers appear largely content with their current vendors, according to a recent survey of brand loyalty. The entrenched market likely means an uphill battle for competitors looking to unseat a market leader.

In a rare demonstration of bipartisanship, the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously passed legislation, H.R. 2810, the Medicare Patient Access and Quality Improvement Act of 2013, to repeal and replace the antiquated Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR).

As adults, most of us understand responsibility can be a heavy burden. It’s also a privilege that can be lost. Some days it’s downright unpleasant to take responsibility, but those who shirk it often ultimately wind up paying a high price. That may be why physicians' responses to the survey about “major responsibility” for healthcare costs published in the July 24/31 edition of JAMA seemed so frustrating.