[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 115 (Monday, September 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE CONSUMER ASSURANCE OF RADIOLOGIC EXCELLENCE ACT (CARE)

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                            HON. RICK LAZIO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2000

  Mr. LAZIO. Mr. Speaker, CARE is legislation aimed at patient safety 
that would ensure technologists administering medical imaging and 
radiation therapy procedures have sufficient training and expertise. 
Medical imaging and radiation therapy involve the application of 
potentially dangerous articles like x-rays, nuclear isotopes, and 
powerful magnetic fields. Medical imaging provides radiologists and 
other physicians the vital imagery to diagnose illness and prescribe 
appropriate treatment. Radiation is the application of radiation to 
cancers as prescribed by oncologists. Currently, over 250,000 
individuals work in thirteen disciplines in this field.
  CARE would provide incentives for states to license or register 
persons who perform medical imaging and radiation therapy. Currently 15 
states have no regulations governing the education or competence of 
individuals administering x rays and 29 states have failed to regulate 
individuals administering nuclear medicine tests. This legislation 
seeks to redress the deficiencies in the Consumer-Patient Radiation 
Health and Safety Act of 1981, by encouraging states to put in place 
minimal standards for the education and certification of practitioners 
in the field.
  CARE is endorsed by the Alliance for Quality Medical Imaging and 
Radiation Therapy. The Alliance consists of the following 
organizations: American Association of Physicists in Medicine, American 
Registry of Radiologic Technologists, American Society of Radiologic 
Technologists, Association of Educators in Radiologic Sciences, 
Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers, Joint Review 
Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, Joint Review Committee 
on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology, Nuclear Medicine 
Technology Certification Board, Section for Magnetic Resonance 
Technologists of ISMRM, Society of Nuclear Medicine-Technologist 
Section, and Society for Radiation Oncology Administrators.
  CARE is also endorsed by the Following organizations: American 
College of Radiology, American Organization of Nurse Executives, Cancer 
Research Foundation of America, National Coalition for Cancer 
Survivorship, the American Cancer Society, Conference of Radiation 
Control Program Directors, Inc., Help Disabled War Veterans, Help 
Hospitalized War Veterans, International Society of Radiographers and 
Radiologic Technologists, National Coalition for Quality Diagnostic 
Imaging Services and Philips Medical Systems, Inc.

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