Radiologists hit Capitol Hill | Senate seeks to revive AUC program | Hospital transparency efforts fail | 2026 CPT code changes

Over 450 lab-coat clad “radvocates” took part in the annual Capitol Hill Day, which included 250 meetings held in congressional offices, ACR said May 7. 

Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Catherine Cortez Masto are proposing the Radiology Outpatient Ordering Transmission (ROOT) Act, which would eliminate real-time reporting requirements in AUC. 

However, health policy efforts initiated in 2021 appear to be reducing variation in imaging costs, experts contend. 

“The ACR encourages its members to review them and consider how the anticipated changes may impact their practices," the college urged recently. 

The vendor's latest earnings report outlines a nearly $35 million decline in mammography sales and projected ramifications from new tariffs. 

ACR’s request comes amid ongoing trade wars and new tariffs placed on imaging products. 

The declaration comes with the North Billerica, Massachusetts-based drugmaker announcing positive results from two “pivotal” studies of MK-6240. 

Despite newly implemented tariffs, the manufacturer says it was profitable in Q1 of 2025, but a greater impact on its operations looms later this year. 

West Virginia carved out a CON concession for certain diagnostic imaging services in 2023, with Valley Health capitalizing on the law change. 

UPDATED: The Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act aims to eliminate a financial barrier to imaging access, patient advocates say.  

AI shines in radiology when tasked with interpreting images of patients whose odds of illness are either very high or very low. In these cases, the technology could help mitigate burnout and supplement staffing. 

“This is a disappointing outcome for American glioma patients,” Australia-based radiopharmaceutical firm Telix said in an announcement shared Monday. 

Experts have proposed “episode-based cost sharing” to address financial toxicity for healthcare consumers, according to new research published in JACR. 

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists this week gave its 2025 Awards for Advocacy to both Diane Kosenko, with Radiology Associates of Hartford, Conn., and its Minnesota affiliate. 

Erik Rockswold, director research and quality, Rayus Radiology, explains the administrative burdens radiology groups experience for little return from the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System.