Strategic Radiology, a coalition of independent imaging groups, is retaining the services of a Washington lobbying firm to represent its interests on Capitol Hill, officials announced Wednesday.
Thorn Run Partners plans to monitor political activity pertaining to the specialty and communicate private practices’ policy positions through advocacy and public relations. The partnership comes as the administration works on several legislative issues that could have big implications in imaging.
“Radiology awaits regulations to implement the No Surprises Act from three different government departments, and we face a potential 9.75% reimbursement reduction in the proposed 2022 [Medicare Physician Fee Schedule], so it is time for our groups to redouble efforts and engage,” Linda Wilgus, MBA, chair of Strategic Radiology’s Advocacy Committee and executive director and chief financial officer of Northwest Radiology Network in Indianapolis, said in a statement. “Thorn Run Partners will help to amplify our voice and ensure that the sometimes-unique perspective of private practice radiology is heard on the Hill.”
SR said it will continue working with organized radiology, contributing data to help substantiate policy positions and rally support for causes championed by the industry’s largest advocacy groups. Thorn Run Partners employs 35 government relation specialists, and its clients also include the Radiology Business Management Association, AARP and the Medical Device Manufacturers Association.
Headquartered in Palmetto, Florida, Strategic Radiology represents 30-plus privately owned, independent practices employing more than 1,250 physicians.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.