2008 RT to DC Campaign

Imaging personnel from all over the United States met in Washington D.C. to lobby for a very important piece of legislation known as the CARE bill. This was the 10th year celebrating the march on the capitol to ask for support of HR 583 and SB 1042. The ASRT and Society of Nuclear Medicine organized the event for radiographers, sonographers, radiation therapists and nuclear medicine technologists. This year's event brought over 125 technologists, educators, administrators and students to the capitol.

The CSRT awarded two scholarships to Michael Fink and Christina Lee, both from the radiologic technology program at CSU Northridge. Student Lauren Murdock, also of CSUN, attended the event on her own. Board member, Lorenza Clausen, RT, attending her second RT in DC campaign, was the representative from the CSRT. The technologists and students attended a one day seminar on Monday to learn about the CARE bill and its history, as well as to learn communication skills and role play discussion with representatives. Those skills were then taken to the hill on Tuesday where the California delegation met with 15 offices and their staff, as well as to drop off thank you letters to current cosponsors and information to those offices unable to meet with us that day.

Of note, the Senate subcommittee on health finally met on Thursday, March 13th to vote SB 1042 out of committee. The House bill, HR 583, is scheduled tentatively for sometime in April. Once past these hurdles it is on to the floor of the full Senate and House. As a result of our visits this past week, it is hoped that more representatives and senators will join and sign on as a cosponsor. Many technologists had positive feedback from the staff they met with. The CSRT will keep you updated as more details are available.