"These cuts are so drastic and far reaching that, for many imaging providers, it may no longer be a choice of which services can be provided, but whether they are able to keep the practice open at all. The DRA imaging cuts are not good policy and their effects may be felt by patients and providers for years to come," said Moore.

"For individuals living in rural or medically underserved areas ... imaging technology is particularly important. Without these technologies, many individuals would be denied much needed treatment and invaluable peace of mind. Sadly, provisions included as part of the DRA leave some of our most vulnerable citizens at risk by jeopardizing their access to these imaging services," said Senator Rockefeller. "We cannot stand by and allow our elderly and disabled to suffer so that we can meet an arbitrary budget target. I urge my colleagues to join with us in supporting this timely legislation," said Senator Rockefeller.


Similar legislation was introduced last month in the House by Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.), Representative Joseph Pitts (R-Pa.) and Representative Gene Green (D-Texas). The House bill already has more than 90 cosponsors.
True Impact of DRA Cuts

A recent report by the highly respected Moran Company finds that the cuts in Medicare imaging payments under the DRA will mean that the total Medicare reimbursement for imaging services in physician offices and imaging centers will fall an estimated 18 percent to 19 percent below total reimbursement for similar services in hospital outpatient departments.

The report also found that, in 2007, 89 percent of the services affected by the DRA limits will be paid at rates less than the estimated cost of performing the service in the physician office setting.

The ACR has provided on its Web site, templates that allow individual facilities to insert their own data to calculate the impact of the DRA cuts on their practice. Those who take advantage of this tool are encouraged to share their data with the ACR in order to better educate Congress on the impact of these cuts.

The ACR has also joined a broad coalition of patient advocacy groups, medical manufacturers, and providers to form the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition (AMIC). AMIC represents more than 75,000 physicians, providers, and patients, as well as medical imaging manufacturers who employ tens of thousands of workers.

To read the Moran report mentioned above, an update of a similar analysis by The Moran Company in September 2006, in its entirety, please visit the AMIC Web site.

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