Multiple Updates!
Hi everyone,
The 2021 Pre-Conference edition of The Radiographer is being finalized and is expected to be released in the next day or two. We have a very exciting Legislative update from Diane Hutton which is included in this issue! Why wait to release this information? Here you go!
March 1, 2021
Hello Missouri Colleagues,
I would like to provide an update regarding our legislative efforts in Jefferson City. What a difference two weeks make! Two weeks ago, it looked like nothing was going to happen and now I can share some good news with you!
As the new session began in January 2021, we had lost our House and Senate sponsors. Our House sponsor lost her primary race for the Senate, so we would have needed to acquire another sponsor there. Our Senate sponsor was uncertain if she wanted to sponsor again this session. Now, do not get me wrong; both ladies have been wonderful sponsors and I appreciate everything they have done for us. However, when we kept looking into the crystal ball, things were looking rather bleak moving into this session.
Move forward to two weeks and things look a whole lot different for sure. With our lobbyist, Mike Grote still at the helm and working the Capitol daily, he was able to conjure up two sponsors for this session. Jeff Porter will be the House sponsor with Lincoln Hough our Senate sponsor. The amendment from the last session was filed today (Monday) as a ‘placeholder’ so we can have a bill number assigned.
The same opposition remains, we continue to work with them to figure out the language that is acceptable to all. It remains a mystery, to me at least, that some of our opposition feels threatened by our proposal as they are not involved in any imaging studies. However, it does not matter if I understand or agree with them, it is important that we work with them because that is their perception-that our bill does affect their practice. We will continue to work with them to come to an agreement for the improved care of patients when they are in our arena.
Look for more information once the bill has been assigned a bill number. Then it will be an all-out grassroots venture and I will certainly need your help. As the session moves along, I would love to have some type of meeting or gathering at the Capitol. I will begin checking out our options once they allow groups back into the Capitol.
A huge thank you to ARRT, ASRT, and other groups who continue to tirelessly join with MoSRT as we complete our mission of having educationally prepared and clinically competent individuals providing Radiology services in Missouri. As we all know, every patient every time is what MoSRT is working towards.
I appreciate your continued support,
Diane.
Diane Hutton BA, RT(R) ARRT
Legislative Activities Chair