The Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA) has launched a new campaign called "Imaging Forward" to highlight innovation in imaging and its impact on patient care and the delivery of healthcare.
"Imaging Forward puts a long overdue spotlight on the myriad ways in which imaging has transformed patient care and, more broadly, the practice of medicine by helping to improve diagnosis and treatment, avoid unnecessary procedures and lower costs by minimizing unnecessary procedures," Gail Rodriguez, executive director of MITA, said in an announcement. "Thanks to the investments made by manufacturers in research and development, for example, almost no one has to undergo exploratory surgery. Patients and physicians benefit from advanced medical imaging technologies that save lives while reducing long-term healthcare spending."
Other radiology advocacy groups, such as the Radiology Business Management Association have praised the MITA initiative. Wendy Lomers, president of the RBMA board of directors, said the campaigns launch gives "due attention" to advances in medical imaging that are fundamentally changing the practice of medicine and patient care.
"Medical imaging has transformed the diagnosis and treatment of disease and other conditions which, in turn, has saved lives, reduced healthcare costs, and significantly reduced the need for exploratory surgery," Lomers said in an announcement.
In its support of the campaign, the RBMA also mentioned the fact that despite the "far-reaching benefits" associated with these advanced imaging advance, Congress and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services continue to cut medical imaging reimbursements. "Further cuts will only continue to impede access to life-saving medical imaging services and undercut the benefits of early detection and treatment," the organization stated.
This past week, the American College of Radiology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Radiation Oncologists and the American College of Physicians and American Osteopathic Association launched an advertising campaign designed to put pressure on federal lawmakers to pass the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014.
To learn more:
- see the announcement on Imaging Forward
- see the announcement from the RBMA
- read about the ACR SGR campaign