Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., has been selected by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists to receive the 2008 ASRT Award for Excellence in Radiologic Sciences Advocacy. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., has been selected by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists to receive the 2008 ASRT Award for Excellence in Radiologic Sciences Advocacy. The award will be presented to Rep. Pallone by radiologic technologists from New Jersey on March 11, in Washington, D.C., during ASRT's R.T. in D.C. advocacy event.

The award is presented annually to a US representative who has demonstrated his or her support in Congress of health care issues facing Americans. Rep. Pallone was chosen to receive the award because of his commitment to quality medical imaging and radiation therapy through his strong support for the Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill, or CARE bill.

The CARE bill would ensure a minimum level of education and certification for health care professionals who perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures paid for by federal programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. The passage of this bill would lead to increased patient safety, as well as reduce health care costs. Rep. Pallone is the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health, which has jurisdiction over the CARE bill.

"We are very grateful for Rep. Pallone's support of the CARE bill," said ASRT Director of Government Relations Christine Lung. "We get nearer to its passage with each session. The support from our congressional representatives, such as Rep. Pallone, leads us that much closer to victory for the American public.