AQMIRT

Alliance for Quality Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (AQMIRT)

To ensure patient safety and exam quality, in May 1998 the American Society of Radiologic Technolgists (ASRT) attempted to introduce federal legislation that would have required states to comply with the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act or risk losing federal grants and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements. The proposed legislation had strong backing at that time, but was not introduced into Congress until the fall of 1998. Since this time, current legislation supporters have been organizing strategic campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of personnel qualifications and competency to the performance of medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy procedures.

The ASRT and the Society of Nuclear Medicine — Technical Section (SNM-TS) recognized that the legislative arena will depend upon a collaborative effort with other organizations dedicated to quality radiologic care. In July 1998 these groups founded the Alliance for Quality Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (AQMIRT). Membership in the Alliance is open to any organization in medical imaging or radiation therapy that shares the goal of ensuring quality patient care through the establishment of minimum personnel criteria. The creation of the Alliance sends a message that all professional associations representing medical imaging and radiation therapy personnel are united and are ready to act on these beliefs and values. The Alliance continues to pursue the establishment of federal minimum education and credentialing standards for medical imaging and radiation therapy personnel. In addition, the Alliance will work at the state level to urge local legislators to draft licensure laws that adopt the standards provided by the federal government.

Rudi J. Bertrand, CMD, Co-Chair Government Relations
Chris Gainer, CMD, Co-Chair Government Relations

Current Alliance / CARE Bill Activities

Fall's meeting had much debate concerning the passing of MIPPA, "Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act" of 2008. The ACR has stated that this legislation establishes program requirements for review by the Health Secretary and does not provide for educational standards of technical, non-physician personnel. This bill was passed and signed into law by the 110th Congress and will go into effect January 1, 2012. The acceptance of this bill shows that Congress is aware and willing to participate in the fundamental standards for health service providers.

Currently the Department of Health Services is overseeing the legislative process for the CARE Bill but there is support for writing legislation to have the Bill introduced as part of the Social Security Act. The AAMD representatives to the Alliance will work to ensure that the dosimetry profession is included and supported by any version of the Bill. Currently the legislation will need to be reintroduced and numbered/labeled accordingly for the new congressional session. Continued support by the AAMD members through monetary contributions to the Alliance as well as representatives to the Allliance meeting will signal our strength and desire to build a foundational educational requirement for our profession.

Government Relations Committee Co-chairs,
Chris Gainer
Rudi J. Bertrand

Founding Members:

Alliance Members:

Consulting Organizations:

Other Supporters