To pay for an SGR-fix in the fiscal cliff deal, legislators ordered HHS to increase the advanced imaging equipment utilization rate to 90% starting in 2014

House Republicans' dissatisfaction with the Senate's fiscal cliff deal opened a last slim opportunity to have MPPR addressed, but it was not to be

Bill does not include MPPR fix or device tax repeal. The House is expected to vote on New Year's Day before markets open on Wednesday

Idle hands are said to be the devil’s workshop; in 2012, government regulators proved the same to be true of hands that are busy, as evidenced by the new and modified rules that they churned out to address perceived problems in the delivery of radiology services. Many of these rules—brought forth by DHHS agencies—were unhelpful to radiology practices striving to keep their heads above water. In fairness, though, one or two rules were of the opposite character.

As a most tumultuous year comes to a close, let’s reflect a bit on what makes the people of the United States unique, what drives us toward achievement and success, and why the health-care institutions in this amazing country will continue to thrive—despite significant headwinds and uncertainty. Our cultural DNA is structured in a way that makes it certain that whatever it is that needs to get done, we will get it done.

There was a time, not long ago, when radiologists were either organized into private practices or employed by academic medical centers. Today, they have more options. Representatives of different practice models—from teleradiology to hospital employment to megapractice/multispecialty-practice membership—vary in their views of increasing service and performance demands (and their business, clinical, and lifestyle implications).

In today’s health-care landscape, how can you expand your volume in the face of falling reimbursements, competition from larger health-care systems, and increasingly complex regulations? How do practiceas, imaging centers, and radiology departments increase revenue and margins—and address the challenges of patients’ tight budgets?

After countless hours and almost 10 years of Herculean effort from Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) members and the American Board of Radiology (ABR), the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)—the organization that oversees the 24 recognized medical-specialty boards—approved the ABR’s application for a dual primary certificate in interventional radiology and diagnostic radiology.