Radiologists Meet With Members of Congress During In-District Work Period
August 24, 2023
Members of Congress have an in-district work period every August, typically using most of the month to participate in constituent meetings and tour local businesses. For years, the American College of Radiology Association® (ACRA®) Radiology Advocacy Network (RAN) and RADPAC® have teamed to coordinate efforts to connect radiologists with their representatives.
Earlier this month, RADPAC hosted a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, MD, (D-WA), a former Virginia Mason pediatrician and one of only three women physicians in Congress. She is a member of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, where she is a leader on healthcare policy issues. Rep. Schrier sponsored a bill to address healthcare staffing shortages in emergencies, as well as co-sponsored the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474), which provides for an inflation update equal to the annual percentage increase in the Medicare Economic Index, beginning in 2024.
Also this month, radiologists at Tennessee Interventional and Imaging Associates hosted U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) for a tour of their practice. Congressman Fleischmann is a member of House Committee on Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Subcommittee.
With only 6% of the 535 Members of Congress having any kind of professional healthcare background, it is critical that ACRA continues to educate lawmakers and their staff with “radvocacy” outreach activities. There are many ways to make a difference.
Sign up today to become a RAN advocate or contact
Ted Burnes, American College of Radiology® Senior Director, Political Affairs, RADPAC.
Photo caption: From left to right are Michael Nichols, MD, Andrew Hill, MD, Rep. Chuck Fleischman, Nicholas Appleton, MD, and Steve Quarfordt, MD.
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