Contact Info

Mindy Combs, MS, RT(R)(M)(QM)
mcombs@st-marys.org

Deborah Moore, MS,RT(R)(CT)
dmoore@st-marys.org

Karen Foster, MS, RT(R)
kfoster@st-marys.org

Lisa Knight, RT(R)
knightL@uhcwv.org

Reports

2012 RT in D.C. Event

The report below was submitted by Lisa Laird, A.A.S.,R.T.(R), and Casey Martin, a student at OVMC, about their attendance at the R.T. in D.C. meeting. They represented the WVSRT at this annual ASRT sponsored event.

Candidates in 2016 sitting for the Advanced Boards will need to document formal education in their field. District II constituents need to call their representative, Shelley Moore Capito, and encourage her to sponsor the C.A.R.E. bill.

  • Our first evening was a cocktail and snack Welcome Reception
  • We received our itinerary and our name badges
  • Met up with some familiar faces from the ASRT  (Cathy Dressen, Sal Martino, Diane Mayo, Julie Gill, Travis Prowant and many others)
  • We got a good night’s rest
  • Monday morning began with breakfast and some familiar faces from Ohio
  • We sat with Julie Gill, Jonathan Mazal, Leisa Arnold, Phil Ballinger, and some RA advocates
  • Soon after, our class on lobbying began
  • Casey and I sat in the front row.
  • Neither of us wanted to miss a thing!
  • The legal and lobbying team from the ASRT conducted “role playing” and educated all of those who were there for the first time.
  • We were prepared for Tuesday
  • Our big day to speak with legislative assistants and congressional dignitaries of West Virginia.
  • We had made 5 appointments in advance with our 2 Senators, and all 3 Representatives.
  • Our first visit was to Shelley Moore Capito’s office.
  • She represents District 2 of West Virginia
  • Constituents in District 2 of WV should please, please, please send off an email to Ms. Capito. She has NOT yet co-sponsored our C.A.R.E. Bill!
  • Her legislative assistant, Veronica was very kind and receptive. She seemed to understand the importance of the bill, but the important thing is that the constituent asks his representative to sign!
  • When asking her to co-sponsor the CARE bill HR 2104, one should mention the following:
  • CARE stands for Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy. It is the CARE BILL HR 2104.
  • It does 3 things: 1)Reduces Health Care costs , 2)Ensures quality images are produced for diagnosis, and radiation therapy procedures are accurate and precise and 3)Improves the safety of medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures
  • It would also help to mention the following:
  • The other representatives, McKinley and Rahall have already co-sponsored
  • The bill is non-partisan

If you have relatives or friends:

  • Other folks from around the state can also drop her a line; she prefers to hear from her constituents.
  • Our next visit was to Representative Nick Rahall’s office.
  • He is the representative of WV’s third district.
  • Mr. Rahall is a co-sponsor of the bill, and we were there at his office to thank him.
  • We also asked if Representative Rahall could have the bill “Scored” by the CBO. (CBO, a group that scores every piece of proposed legislation for its impact on the US national debt and fiscal spending prudence)
  • The more requests our congressmen make to get a bill scored, the more chances of it getting done.
  • This ultimately helps with the process because the CARE bill will help to save tax dollars.
  • The next two visits were to Senators Rockefeller and Manchin.
  • These visits were to ask the Senators to back the bill once it hits the Senate.
  • We already have many Senators who will co-sponsor and back the bill, but ours never have.
  • The Senate “Hart” building was quite grand!
  • Our last visit was back to the other side of the Capitol building to the Cannon where Representative David McKinley’s office is.
  • Representative David McKinley from District 1 WV is a Co-sponsor of the CARE Bill also.
  • Casey and I were welcomed to Representative McKinley’s office by the Congressmen himself! We were very honored to have gotten to personally thank him for co-sponsoring the Care Bill! We also asked for his help in sending the bill to the CBO to be scored.
  • He gave us each a golden pass to see Congress in action, and had a staff member escort us there.
  • It was an amazing experience!
  • We left Capitol Hill following our visit to the gallery to see Congress in action
  • When we returned to the hotel, we gave our report on who we spoke to and their responses.
  • We got to hear what the others did that day as well!
  • We have to remember that over 100 technologists, therapists, educators, and radiologist assistants were there to advocate for our profession.
  • It was an awesome experience!!
  • If you have questions, please contact: Lisa Laird or Casey Martin

Just a note: We have followed up with all of the representatives and Senators.

I heard from Dan Casto (Shelly Moore Capito’s legislative aid) today. He said he will speak with her about the bill, but has not yet! Please contact her office if you are in her district!!! She is the only Representative we need to sign the bill in WV!! 

Since our visit, Syd Sanders has said that we have 29 new co-sponsors!! That is awesome!

Let’s put WV on that list too!!

1. Senator John D. Rockefeller IV - Rachel Peters, Legislative Correspondent
(202)224-6472 Rachel_peters@rockefeller.senate.gov 

2. Nick J. Rahall, II, member of Congress - Lori D'orazio, Legislative Assistant
(202)225-3452 Lori.dorazio@mail.house.gov 

3. Shelley Moore Capito, member of Congress - Aaron Sporck, Legislative Director
(202)225-2711 Aaron.sprock@mail.house.gov