The CARE bill, currently in draft form in the Senate, would establish minimum requirements for the education, training, and experience of those who provide the technical component of diagnostic medical imaging studies and radiation therapy procedures. It would also attempt to increase the safety and accuracy of medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments thereby reducing duplication of services and decreasing costs.

The Heart Rhythm Society has submitted comments, along with five other cardiovascular specialty organizations, to Senator Mike Enzi, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The comments express concern that the bill, while utilizing terminology suggesting a focus on radiology, would also impact practices in the field of cardiology, including fluoroscopy.

The Heart Rhythm Society requests that:
- Congress conduct hearings on this legislation before any further action is taken
- technologists under direct physician supervision would be exempted under this legislation
- at the very least, a minimum period of 36 months, or a phased-in approach, would be implemented for allied health personnel to comply with any applicable requirements following the issuance of regulations
- the Secretary allow time for the development of specialty-specific certification programs for certain modalities for which adequate standards do not currently exist

The letter also requests that the committee clarify whether image-guided therapy is included in the bill.

To view the complete comments, please click here.
To view a copy of the draft bill, please click here.