Political Action Needed

[FBIDoc]

Fellow PAs, if you would take the time to contact your Congressional representatives to OPPOSE H.R. 1148: Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2013

This is an attempt by Radiology Assistants (sometimes called derisively SuperTechs) to achieve Medicare reimbursement status for some procedures normally performed by PAs and/or Radiologists. These can include paracentesis, thoracentesis, PICC lines, fluoroscopic exams, LPs, myelograms, etc.

 

As we all know, these procedures have associated risks and as trained RAs have neither the education nor the clinical privilege to manage these potentially life-threatening complications. The RA lobbying groups have banded together and sought legislative approval for reimbursement in order to expand their use by hospitals and radiology groups. Their argument is that CMS' current rules limit access for Medicare patients and expanding their role will create widespread availability of radiologic procedures for patients. They fail to mention that they are only licensed in about 30 states, there are only This may seem like a no-brainer from a purely financial point of view for administrators to hire an RA over a PA without seeing the potential downsides.

 

I contacted AAPA's Legislative Affairs and was told "as a rule, AAPA will not endorse nor oppose legislation that is intended to recognize another healthcare provider. We look to many of these same legislators who sponsor legislation like this to be champions in support of legislation designed to improve access to the quality medical care provided by PAs. We work very hard and focus our lobbying efforts to advance the PA profession."

 

Therefore, please contact your legislators and OPPOSE H.R. 1148: Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2013 for patient safety and PA jobs.

 

For more information: https://www.arrt.org/News/articles/2013-3-15-RA-Bill-Introduced-in-House.aspx

https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/113/hr1148/report#state=PA&district=3

[FBIDoc]

Fellow PAs, if you would take the time to contact your Congressional representatives to OPPOSE H.R. 1148: Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2013

This is an attempt by Radiology Assistants (sometimes called derisively SuperTechs) to achieve Medicare reimbursement status for some procedures normally performed by PAs and/or Radiologists. These can include paracentesis, thoracentesis, PICC lines, fluoroscopic exams, LPs, myelograms, etc.

 

As we all know, these procedures have associated risks and as trained RAs have neither the education nor the clinical privilege to manage these potentially life-threatening complications. The RA lobbying groups have banded together and sought legislative approval for reimbursement in order to expand their use by hospitals and radiology groups. Their argument is that CMS' current rules limit access for Medicare patients and expanding their role will create widespread availability of radiologic procedures for patients. They fail to mention that they are only licensed in about 30 states, there are only This may seem like a no-brainer from a purely financial point of view for administrators to hire an RA over a PA without seeing the potential downsides.

 

I contacted AAPA's Legislative Affairs and was told "as a rule, AAPA will not endorse nor oppose legislation that is intended to recognize another healthcare provider. We look to many of these same legislators who sponsor legislation like this to be champions in support of legislation designed to improve access to the quality medical care provided by PAs. We work very hard and focus our lobbying efforts to advance the PA profession."

 

Therefore, please contact your legislators and OPPOSE H.R. 1148: Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2013 for patient safety and PA jobs.

 

For more information: https://www.arrt.org/News/articles/2013-3-15-RA-Bill-Introduced-in-House.aspx

https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/113/hr1148/report#state=PA&district=3

[FBIDoc]

Fellow PAs, if you would take the time to contact your Congressional representatives to OPPOSE H.R. 1148: Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2013

This is an attempt by Radiology Assistants (sometimes called derisively SuperTechs) to achieve Medicare reimbursement status for some procedures normally performed by PAs and/or Radiologists. These can include paracentesis, thoracentesis, PICC lines, fluoroscopic exams, LPs, myelograms, etc.

 

As we all know, these procedures have associated risks and as trained RAs have neither the education nor the clinical privilege to manage these potentially life-threatening complications. The RA lobbying groups have banded together and sought legislative approval for reimbursement in order to expand their use by hospitals and radiology groups. Their argument is that CMS' current rules limit access for Medicare patients and expanding their role will create widespread availability of radiologic procedures for patients. They fail to mention that they are only licensed in about 30 states, there are only This may seem like a no-brainer from a purely financial point of view for administrators to hire an RA over a PA without seeing the potential downsides.

 

I contacted AAPA's Legislative Affairs and was told "as a rule, AAPA will not endorse nor oppose legislation that is intended to recognize another healthcare provider. We look to many of these same legislators who sponsor legislation like this to be champions in support of legislation designed to improve access to the quality medical care provided by PAs. We work very hard and focus our lobbying efforts to advance the PA profession."

 

Therefore, please contact your legislators and OPPOSE H.R. 1148: Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2013 for patient safety and PA jobs.

 

For more information: https://www.arrt.org/News/articles/2013-3-15-RA-Bill-Introduced-in-House.aspx

https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/113/hr1148/report#state=PA&district=3

[FBIDoc]

Fellow PAs, if you would take the time to contact your Congressional representatives to OPPOSE H.R. 1148: Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2013

This is an attempt by Radiology Assistants (sometimes called derisively SuperTechs) to achieve Medicare reimbursement status for some procedures normally performed by PAs and/or Radiologists. These can include paracentesis, thoracentesis, PICC lines, fluoroscopic exams, LPs, myelograms, etc.

 

As we all know, these procedures have associated risks and as trained RAs have neither the education nor the clinical privilege to manage these potentially life-threatening complications. The RA lobbying groups have banded together and sought legislative approval for reimbursement in order to expand their use by hospitals and radiology groups. Their argument is that CMS' current rules limit access for Medicare patients and expanding their role will create widespread availability of radiologic procedures for patients. They fail to mention that they are only licensed in about 30 states, there are only This may seem like a no-brainer from a purely financial point of view for administrators to hire an RA over a PA without seeing the potential downsides.

 

I contacted AAPA's Legislative Affairs and was told "as a rule, AAPA will not endorse nor oppose legislation that is intended to recognize another healthcare provider. We look to many of these same legislators who sponsor legislation like this to be champions in support of legislation designed to improve access to the quality medical care provided by PAs. We work very hard and focus our lobbying efforts to advance the PA profession."

 

Therefore, please contact your legislators and OPPOSE H.R. 1148: Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2013 for patient safety and PA jobs.

 

For more information: https://www.arrt.org/News/articles/2013-3-15-RA-Bill-Introduced-in-House.aspx

https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/113/hr1148/report#state=PA&district=3