Visitors to the RSNA this year are greeted with an Internet lobbying effort by the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition to oppose the CHAMP Act (HR3162).

The bill, which has passed the House, would impose additional cuts in Medicare reimbursements for medical imaging, beyond the $13 billion in Medicare imaging cuts Congress imposed as part of the Deficit Reduction Act that went into effect this year.

The group's e-mail entreaty was easy to join. Visitors to the prominent booth outside the South Hall technical exhibits just entered their zip code to connect to a list of representatives. After providing contact information to prove identity, an electronic message was sent stating in part, "Cutting Medicare reimbursements for imaging will result in a reduction of services, with tragic consequences for thousands of Americans. Cuts to these innovative services are penny-wise and pound-foolish. Later diagnosis can lead to longer hospital stays, more invasive treatment, worse outcomes, and, ultimately, more costs to the Medicare system."

As the House and Senate work to address Medicare issues, the coalition is working to take any cuts to medical imaging services off the table and also to rally support for a two-year moratorium on the DRA cuts.

The Access to Medical Imaging Coalition represents more than 75,000 physicians and providers, as well as numerous patient advocacy groups throughout the United States.