Early Detection Starts With CT Radiologists
The practice of Radiology is a medical specialty that uses imaging techniques—such as X-rays, CT Scans, MRIs, PET scans, and ultrasounds—to diagnose, and treat diseases. Radiologists, as specialized medical doctors, work in private practices, hospitals or academic centers, interpret images, guide interventional procedures, and provide critical, evidence-based consultative care.
(–American College of Radiology)
Members of our society are particularly adept at finding early indications of cancer so that a treatment regimen succeeds. Early detection saves lives:
- Mammograms, colonoscopies, and Pap smears detect cancers before symptoms appear, when they are highly treatable or even preventable. For instance, colorectal cancer screening helps find precancerous polyps that can be removed.
- Regular blood pressure and cholesterol tests (“silent killers”) catch risks early, preventing heart attacks or strokes before they occur.
- Early identification through blood tests (A1C, glucose) allows for lifestyle changes or early intervention to prevent or delay damage to organ.
Rigorous Education and Training
A radiologist will complete a bachelor’s degree followed by four years of medical school, one year of internship, or first year of residency, and complete a four-year residency program. Often, this means a radiologist has undergone a decade of education and training. This is put to use reviewing and interpreting imaging studies so that accurate information about patients’ conditions can be determined.
Last year, there was a proposal from the physical therapists who sought the ability to order plain film x-rays for their patients. During a scope of practice committee review of the issue facilitated by the Department of Public Health last year, there was objection to this concept by a number of members, primarily two radiologists who were members of the committee and represented the Radiological Society of Connecticut. Ultimately, no bill was introduced this session to expand the physical therapist’s scope of practice to order plain film x-rays. We will continue to oppose this “scope of practice change” because the authority to order such tests should remain with the patient’s primary care provider.
Meanwhile, a significant bill has emerged this session that is important to Radiologists and their patients.
House Bill 5045, An Act Streamlining Health Care Facility Approvals, has been introduced this 2026 Legislative Session by Governor Ned Lamont. The bill is a substantial “rewrite” of the state law that governs the Certificate of Need (CON) Program. According to the Office of Health Strategy, CON:
“...is a state regulatory process that requires healthcare providers to obtain authorization before establishing new facilities, purchasing expensive equipment, changing ownership, or terminating services. It aims to control healthcare costs, ensure community need, and regulate the healthcare landscape, often applying to hospitals and nursing homes.”
House Bill 5045 focuses on many aspects of the CON program, but the focus of the Radiological Society of Connecticut’s interest is with the bill’s provisions that are specific to imaging equipment.
In one respect, the bill is very positive in that it retains CON for the acquisition of CT Scanners, MRI and PET/CT. This gives stability to the availability of these important imaging devices. Without CON, there would be a proliferation of lesser-quality equipment in areas that are designed to “cream the most profitable business, leaving many areas of the state a ‘ghost land’ ” for this vital equipment. The bill transfers the CON program to the Department of Public Health from the Office of Health Strategy, which is dissolved.
On the other hand, there are provisions of the drafted bill that are of concern. These include:
- A new “expedited process” is created that does not provide for a public hearing upon the request by an affected entity.
- All CON decisions will be made by a three-person panel, comprised of the Commissioner of Social Services, Commissioner of Public Health and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. However, as drafted, the bill does not specify that this new structure would guarantee a process open to the public and stakeholders with specific requirements for written agendas for each meeting and a comment period by the public.
- Change of ownership currently requires a CON where a practice is comprised of eight or more physicians. The bill lowers this threshold to two physicians. The need for this change, or the benefits of additional regulation of small, independent radiology practices, needs to be demonstrated.
House Bill 5045 is pending in the Public Health committee. The Radiological Society of Connecticut will be active advocating on behalf their member radiologists as well as for patients, to improve the proposal.
Click here to read the text of House Bill 5045, AN ACT STREAMLINING HEALTH CARE FACILITY APPROVALS ›
Click here to read the Fact Sheet on the bill provided by the governor’s office ›
