State legislatures across the country are currently meeting for their 2025 sessions to introduce and debate new legislation. The ASRT Government Relations Department tracks, reviews and analyzes legislation that touches on numerous issues that could impact the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession. The team often sees patterns in the legislation it tracks across the U.S.
Authority to Order, Perform, Supervise, and Interpret Medical Imaging
A common policy proposal that ASRT tracks addresses scope of practice for health care workers, including medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals, nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists and midwives. When legislators look to update these professions’ scopes of practices, ASRT analyzes the legislation to ensure that the scope of practice does not inappropriately encroach into diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy. In particular, the Government Relations team examines the legislation to ensure that individuals who have not met the national standards for education, training and competency exams are not allowed to order, supervise, interpret or perform diagnostic imaging.
Insurance Coverage for Cancer Screening
Legislators in multiple states have introduced legislation that would require insurance plans to cover diagnostic screenings for cancer. Most commonly, the proposals focus on insurance coverage for breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer screenings.
Cancer screenings are essential for early detection and improved survival rates. Screenings that use diagnostic imaging, such as mammograms, can identify cancer in its preliminary stages, making treatment more effective and less costly. Many individuals without insurance coverage may skip these crucial screenings due to financial constraints, putting their health at risk.
Such legislation also promotes health equity by ensuring that everyone, regardless of income or background, has access to preventative care. This access is particularly important for individuals in low-income and marginalized communities who may have a higher cancer risk. Early detection not only saves lives but also reduces long-term treatment costs by identifying cancer at more treatable stages.
Contrast Administration
Lastly, ASRT tracks and examines legislation that deals with the supervision of radiologic technologists who administer contrast media or other medications. ASRT focuses on ensuring that this legislation requires facilities to have an appropriate provider onsite during the administration of contrast or other medications. Life-threatening adverse reactions are rare but may occur during the administration of contrast. As such, it is crucial to the safety and well-being of the patient that a licensed practitioner or radiologist assistant is present onsite to supervise the administration of contrast, ensuring the prompt and effective treatment of adverse reactions should they occur.
As the 2025 legislative cycle continues, the ASRT Government Relations Department will continue to track and comment on legislation that will impact the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession. To stay updated on ASRT’s advocacy efforts, keep an eye on the ASRT Advocacy Action Center and the ASRT advocacy website.