The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) delegation and Radiology Section Council members to the American Medical Association House of Delegates (HOD) provided valuable insight during debate and consideration of several imaging-related resolutions during the AMA’s 2024 Annual House of Delegates Meeting June 7–12.
The outcomes of key resolutions:
Resolution 116 – Increase Insurance Coverage for Follow-Up Testing after Abnormal Screening Mammography: The ACR representatives testified in favor of the resolution, and the need to maintain support for public and private payer coverage for screening mammography and follow-up testing after an abnormal screening mammography. The resolution further advocated for legislation that ensures adequate funding for mammography services and follow-up testing after an abnormal screening mammography. Resolution 116 was adopted.
BOT 15 - Augmented Intelligence Development, Deployment, and Use in Health Care: Testimony by radiologists commended the Board of Trustees (BOT) for its thoughtful analysis of the artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare issue, but expressed concerns over omissions in the report regarding the use of AI in the development of scientific literature and the feasibility of some of the transparency and disclosures recommendations. Radiologists also testified that the BOT should be more inclusive of stakeholders, such as the College, as the AMA further develops its AI policy. Lastly, testimony expressed concerns that the disclosure and transparency recommendations would pose additional burdens on physicians. BOT 15 was referred for report back, along with two similar resolutions, to the HOD Interim 2024 meeting in November.
Resolution 430 – Supporting the Inclusion of Information about Lung Cancer Screening within Cigarette Packages: Members of the ACR Delegation and Radiology Section Council spoke strongly in favor of this resolution. Radiologists shared with the HOD numerous data and statistics indicating that the vast majority of those eligible for lung cancer screening do not adhere to current clinical guidelines. Therefore, additional avenues to inform the eligible screening population, such as providing screening information on or within cigarette packaging, would be beneficial. However, those opposing the resolution cited a lack of evidence indicating improvement in screening rates when providing information on packaging as well as potential dangers in amending the Tobacco Control Act. As a result, the HOD referred part of the resolution back to the BOT for decision, adopted an amended section and changed the title of the resolution to reflect the inclusion of all nicotine delivery systems, not just combustible tobacco products.
Visit Business of the AMA House of Delegates Annual Meeting | American Medical Association for more information or to review these and other resolutions considered by the AMA House of Delegates.
If you have questions, contact Josh Cooper, ACR Vice President of Government Relations and Economics Health Policy.