The Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM), the world's largest society for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine professionals, will initiate an outreach program seeking to "inform legislators and regulatory representatives about the potential of molecular imaging and therapy to revolutionize modern medicine" during its 54th Annual Meeting, June 2-6 in Washington, D.C.

More than 200 members are set to discuss a host of related issues during a planned Capitol Hill Day on June 5. Actions include advancing information about molecular imaging and therapy, pleas to restore federal funding for basic science research in nuclear medicine and a call for continued dialogue to prevent deep cuts in medical imaging services for Medicare beneficiaries as part of the federal Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005.

"We are on the brink of a revolutionary change in medicine. The catalyst for this change is molecular imaging, the use of state-of-the-art imaging technologies (such as PET, SPECT, MRI and others) to see, define and determine the biology of disease, offering a potential revolution in patient care," said SNM President Martin P. Sandler. "Molecular imaging is emerging at the forefront of 'personalized medicine'-the development of patient-specific information that allows tailored treatment of disease," he added.

"It is imperative that our legislators and regulators understand the potential of molecular imaging and therapy for American health care and the issues related to advancing that potential. This is why we are taking advantage of our meeting location and bringing our messages to Capitol Hill," Sandler explained. "Molecular imaging is critical for detecting disease earlier, for individualizing treatment, for improving diagnosis and for facilitating drug discovery and development. Through advances in genetics, biochemistry and nanotechnology, molecular imaging is playing an increasingly significant role in diagnosing and treating cancer, dementias (Alzheimer's), and movement, seizure and psychiatric disorders," noted Sandler.

Here are a few of the issues that SNM members will be discussing during the week of June 3.

* Increasing Understanding: The science of molecular imaging continues to advance, bringing new insights about diseases. Through the use of radiotracer imaging (PET, PET/CT, SPECT/CT), MRI, MRS, optical imaging and ultrasound, molecular imaging is playing a pivotal role in guiding the management of cancer (for diagnosis, staging, assessing drug treatment, monitoring therapy and evaluating an outcome) and in allowing a more personalized approach to the evaluation and management of heart disease.

* Requesting Research Funding: SNM continues its work to restore federal funding for basic science research in nuclear medicine, formerly funded under the Office of Biological and Environmental Research Medical Applications and Measurement Science program. A report from the National Academy of Sciences on the state of the science in nuclear medicine is expected soon, the result of a 13-month project. The ''State of the Science in Nuclear Medicine'' study will look at the future of the radiopharmaceutical sciences, including computational and instrumental needs, impediments to the approval and distribution of radiopharmaceuticals, impact of isotope shortages and lack of federal funding for nuclear medicine basic science and clinical research.

* Decrying Medical Imaging Cuts: SNM will continue to ask members of Congress to reconsider the deep cuts made in medical imaging services for Medicare beneficiaries as part of the federal Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005. SNM is a member of the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition. AMIC released a study that shows total reimbursement for imaging services in physician offices and imaging centers will fall approximately 18-19 percent below total reimbursement for similar services provided in hospital outpatient departments as a result of the DRA. The report serves as further proof that issues such as patient access and patient care must be assessed prior to further implementation of the cuts.

* Facilitating Drug Guidelines: SNM continues to participate in discussions about evolving Food and Drug Administration guidelines for the review and approval of radiopharmaceuticals and interact more with industry representatives to promote therapeutic drug development, the use of novel molecular therapeutics and the development of new diagnostics.

* Promoting Standards: SNM's Technologist Section, a member of the Alliance for Quality Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy-a group of 20 radiologic science organizations representing more than 350,000 imaging technologists, radiation therapists, and medical physicists-continues its support of the Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill (CARE bill). The CARE bill requires personnel performing medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures to meet minimum education and credentialing standards in order for the procedures to be eligible for Medicare reimbursement.

* Advocating "Molecular Imaging Week": SNM is working to declare the week of June 3, which coincides with SNM's Annual Meeting, as "Molecular Imaging Week," both officially by Congress and locally by the District of Columbia.

* Collaborating With Patient Groups: SNM collaborates with patient groups such as the National Coalition for Cancer Research, which will be conducting a June 4 briefing-with SNM's participation-on "Biomarkers" for Congressional staff.