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Radiologic Technologists Prepare To Lobby for
the CARE Bill April 13, 2005
WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 135 radiologic
technologists and radiation therapists gathered in
Washington, D.C., April 11-12 for the ASRT’s seventh
annual R.T. in D.C. meeting. They spent the first
day of the meeting fine-tuning the skills they need
to make lobbying visits to lawmakers on Capitol
Hill.
Bill Finerfrock, ASRT
lobbyist, reviews information about the CARE
bill as David DeWeber, R.T.(R), of Roswell,
N.M., practices his pitch for the bill. |
R.T.s learned the nuances of the Consumer Assurance
of Radiologic Excellence bill (H.R. 1426), a bill
that would set federal educational and credentialing
standards for individuals who perform medical
imaging examinations and plan and deliver radiation
therapy procedures.
Pat Haggerty, a Washington, D.C., journalist and
former legislative staffer, presented “How To Be an
Activist and Grass-roots Lobbyist.” Mr. Haggerty
discussed how to preserve America’s participatory
democracy by being actively involved in the
legislative process and creating a sense of
political revolution. “‘Revolve’ is the base word of
revolution,” he said. “To revolve means to turn or
change. That’s what you’re here to do – to change
the minds of the lawmakers to support your issue.”
Pat Haggerty describes
the legislative process in our democratic
government, encouraging attendees to lobby
not only their lawmakers for support of the
CARE bill, but also their friends and
coworkers. |
He described participation at various levels.
“Nobody knows your issue better than you,” he said.
“With thousands of bills in front of [Congress] now,
you must find a way to differentiate your issue from
all the rest.”
Mr. Haggerty discussed several ways to
differentiate the CARE bill, emphasizing the
importance of making a human connection and finding
how the bill relates to each lawmaker. He said that
repetition is the best way to keep lawmakers on
track. “After time, they will not only know and
understand your issue, they will know you.”
The CARE bill will add an enforcement mechanism
to the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety
Act of 1981. “While the Consumer-Patient Radiation
Health and Safety Act of 1981 set federal minimum
standards for those performing medical imaging and
radiation therapy, it had no bite,” explained David
Goch, ASRT lobbyist, who coached the audience on the
elements of the CARE bill. “States can choose to
follow or not follow the legislation and not suffer
any consequence.”
Currently, nine states and the District of
Columbia do not license radiologic personnel. In
states without licensure, individuals who have not
been adequately trained are allowed to perform
radiologic procedures on patients. Poor quality
images raise health care costs and can lead
misdiagnosis or overexposure to radiation.
NMSRT Chairman of the Board, Danny Gonzales
and President David DeWeber in
Washington DC last April. |
NEW MEXICO SOCIETY OF RADIOLOGIC
TECHNOLOGISTS
47 Yucca Lane • Placitas, NM 87043 •
http://www.nmsrt.org
radiographer@gmail.com
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