Reports

2011 ASRT Governance Conference Report

2011 RT in D.C. Event

As representatives of the WV Society of Radiologic Technologists (WVSRT), Denise Porter, RT(R) (ARRT), and two students from United Hospital Center School of Radiologic Technology, Desiree Owens and Kayla Martin, attended the 13th annual R.T. in DC (Radiologic Technologists in Washington) event in March of 2011. This organized event is designed to gain legislative support/sponsorship for the CARE Bill (Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in radiation therapy and medical imaging).

The CARE BILL would enforce the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, which made licensure optional for each state. Currently, six states and the District of Columbia have no federal minimum standards, which allow personnel with little or no training to perform medical imaging and radiation therapy on patients. The enactment of the CARE Bill would ensure quality images, reduce healthcare costs, ensure patient safety, and improve the imaging experience for the patient.

This event, which is sponsored by the ASRT focuses the first day of the conference on training techniques to meet with the legislators. The remainder of the event is held with constituents meeting with their representatives and trying to gain support for the CARE Bill. The hope is the recent articles published in the New York Times, focused on excessive radiation from improperly trained personnel resulting in death, will bring the critical importance of trained personnel to the forefront of health care.

Please contact your own legislator in an effort to gain their support. In the House of Representatives the CARE Bill is Bill #3692.

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