SENATE BILL TO DELAY DRA IMAGING CUTS GETS SUPPORT FROM RADIOLOGY GROUP

The American College of Radiology (ACR) said Aug. 4 it strongly supports S. 3795, the Access to Medicare Imaging Act, which calls for a two-year moratorium on medical imaging reimbursement cuts included in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA). The bill also requires a comprehensive Government Accountability Office (GAO) study to analyze the impact of the DRA payment methodology on patient access.

S. 3795, introduced by Sens. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), parallels House bill H.R. 5704, introduced by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), the ACR noted.

"The ACR applauds Senators Smith and Rockefeller for recognizing the need to examine the dramatic imaging cuts in the DRA and their detrimental effect on patient care," said Arl Van Moore, chair of the ACR's board of chancellors. "To have such deep cuts go into effect without a thorough review" would have "detrimental effects on the American healthcare system for many years to come."

A provision added to the DRA in January would reduce payments and implement caps for services such as X-rays, ultrasound and nuclear medicine, although they would not affect diagnostic and screening mammography. Some doctors are buying fewer medical devices because of the cuts, which are slated to go into effect in January 2007.