CARE Bill introduced in Senate

The Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill (CARE) has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Mike Enzi, (R-Wyo.), and Sen. Tom Harkin, (D-Iowa).

The CARE bill, S. 3338, would ensure that basic minimum education and certification standards are established as part of the Medicare program for all medical imaging and radiation therapy personnel. 

Currently, basic educational standards for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals are voluntary and inconsistent in many states, allowing some individuals to perform radiologic procedures without any formal education. Six states, along with Washington, D.C., are without any regulations regarding the qualifications of personnel performing medical imaging exams.

In June 2011, the House CARE bill, H.R. 2104, was introduced by Rep. Ed Whitfield, (R-Ky.), and now has more than 125 bipartisan cosponsors.