Breaking: Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Expand Patient Access to Medical Imaging

A major step forward for the medical imaging community has just landed in Washington. On May 21, 2026, Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) officially introduced S. 4624, the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act (MARCA) of 2026.

This bipartisan bill directly addresses the national provider shortage by ensuring that Medicare fully reimburses radiologists for non-diagnostic services performed by Radiologist Assistants (R.A.s) in both hospital and office settings.

Why the S. 4624 MARCA Bill Matters

While radiologist assistants are highly trained and fully qualified to perform advanced imaging procedures under a radiologist’s supervision, current, outdated Medicare guidelines create a massive roadblock: hospitals cannot submit claims for certain RA-performed services.

This billing gap limits patient access to timely care, strains existing radiology departments, and hits rural communities the hardest. S. 4624 fixes this disparity once and for all.

The MARCA Mission: Remove federal barriers, fully utilize the expert skill sets of radiologist assistants, and ensure every Medicare patient has access to high-quality, efficient imaging care close to home.

Let’s Get This Bill Passed

Supported by major leading national organizations—including the Society of Radiology Physician Extenders (SRPE) the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), the American College of Radiology (ACR), and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)—we have the momentum. Now, let’s make sure Congress hears our collective voice.

The ASRT and the ARRT  have very simple ways to contact your Senators. 

Click on these links to send a letter to your Senators asking them to co-sponsor S. 4624.

ASRT MARCA Support

ARRT MARCA Support