Pending radiology bills in Congress and predicting the Trump administration's impact on imaging
Radiology Business recently spoke with Kit Crancer—Radiology Business Management Association board member and senior VP of public policy for Rayus—who highlighted the pressing need for Congress to address key issues of importance in imaging. He shared insights into the potential impact the Trump administration may have on healthcare policy.
Radiology challenges and congressional action
Crancer warns of a "quiet crisis" in radiology, citing a growing shortage of radiologists, rising denial rates for reimbursement, and a looming 2.8% cut in the Medicare physician fee schedule.
“Congress needs to address this immediate cut to stabilize the system and implement long-term solutions,” Crancer said. He noted promising bipartisan efforts, particularly within the Senate Finance working group, to safeguard Medicare as a cornerstone of the healthcare system.
A key focus is currently on a proposed bill from Rep. Gregory Murphy's, R-N.C., the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024. House Resolution 10073 seeks to counteract the 2.8% conversion factor cut and introduce an inflationary update to the Medicare fee schedule. Unlike other reimbursement frameworks, Medicare lacks inflationary adjustments for physician payments, which amplifies the chronic cycle of annual funding cuts to radiologists. Over the past two decades, radiologists have faced a cumulative reduction in payments that have forced a small but growing number physicians to stop accepting Medicare because reimbursements no longer cover the cost of running a practice.
Crancer highlighted the direct impact on patients, citing RBMA surveys that reveal longer wait times and the reduced access to physicians willing to accept Medicare. He underscored the urgent need for structural reform to ensure the sustainability of radiology practices and preserve access to critical imaging-based services.
Expanding preventative breast care access
Another promising development is the bipartisan support for the Find It Early Act. H.R. 3086 seeks to close a coverage gap by ensuring patients have access to diagnostic mammograms and advanced breast imaging modalities in women with dense breasts, without out-of-pocket costs. Currently, many face substantial financial barriers, with some paying over $1,200 for essential imaging . Crancer expressed optimism that this legislation could significantly improve early cancer detection and compliance rates.
Trump administration's potential healthcare policies
As the Trump administration prepares to take office in January, speculation about its healthcare priorities abounds. Crancer predicts a shift toward state-driven solutions, building on themes of decentralization. This may include revisiting Medicaid block grants and enacting work requirements to maintain eligibility.
Crancer also anticipates significant regulatory changes under the new administration.
“We’re likely to see a relaxation of scrutiny on healthcare innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence,” he said.
However, balancing these deregulatory trends with patient safety concerns at agencies like the FDA and CMS will be a complex challenge. Crancer said the Biden administration sought more oversight of AI in its recent proposals, but the FDA is at the limit of what it can manage, with hundreds of new clinical AI algorithms per year being submitted to the agency, and an expectation of increasing numbers of new algorithms in the years to come.
Balancing innovation and access
The Trump administration’s approach also may create tension between fostering innovation and ensuring patient access. Crancer pointed to the paradox of advancing technologies, such as AI in healthcare, while addressing disparities in access to FDA-approved treatments and devices.
With several key appointments pending, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for Health and Human Services, Crancer foresees a delicate balancing act between reforming agencies and addressing immediate challenges like Medicare reimbursement cuts.
“Balancing priorities across CMS, FDA, and state-level initiatives will define the trajectory of healthcare under this administration,” he concluded.
Looking ahead to 2025
As Congress deliberates on crucial radiology bills, Crancer said the the RBMA and allied organizations will continue to advocate for reforms that prioritize access, sustainability and innovation. Meanwhile, the incoming administration's policies will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of American healthcare, particularly for aging populations relying on Medicare, but there will be a lot of wait and see for what the true policies will be after the first few months of new national leadership.
Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: dfornell@innovatehealthcare.com