What’s at stake for radiology in the 2026 midterm election?
With the 2026 midterms slated for Tuesday, Nov. 3, and early voting already underway, a key radiology stakeholder is breaking down what the results might mean for the specialty.
The Radiological Society of North America recently discussed this year’s election in its monthly Washington Update newsletter, sent on Oct. 26. RSNA notes that control of Congress is “up for grabs,” with significant potential implications for healthcare and research policy.
One recent forecast gives Democrats an 85% chance of taking the House and 56% odds of securing the Senate, “underscoring how uncertain the balance of power remains.”
“A change in control of the House and/or Senate would reshape the leadership and agendas of committees with jurisdiction over many of RSNA’s policy priorities,” the society said.
For instance, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee has jurisdiction over the National Institutes of Health, along with other Food and Drug Administration-related issues. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, meanwhile, plays an important role in health policy and technology. AI in medical imaging, workforce and education, and federal investment in health research are among the society’s top policy priorities.
“Whatever the outcome, the next Congress will confront major questions impacting radiology, federal support for biomedical research, oversight of AI and medical devices and broader healthcare affordability and access,” RSNA says. “Outside analysts expect the election results to influence not only legislative priorities, but also the intensity of congressional oversight and which health issues receive committee attention.”
Federal artificial intelligence policy also is at a “pivotal phase” in Congress. Lawmakers have yet to coalesce around a comprehensive AI framework, but several bipartisan bills have been introduced. These include the American Leadership in AI Act (H.R. 8516)—addressing standards, testing, research, governance and security—and the FRONTIER Act (H.R. 9925). The latter would establish new oversight requirements for developers of certain frontier AI models, according to RSNA.
“The Nov. 3 elections could reset the debate. If Republicans retain control of Congress, they would likely preserve an innovation-oriented approach with targeted safeguards,” according to the society. “Should Democrats capture control of one of both chambers, this could bring action on a comprehensive federal AI policy framework, although intraparty divisions make the path uncertain.”
You can read more and subscribe to the RSNA’s Washington Update here.
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.