Please take a moment to review recent news and updates from the CRS.

This issue includes updates from the President, Executive Director, Government Affairs Committee, and much more!

Dear Colleagues,

As the President of the California Radiological Society (CRS), I want to take a moment to stress the critical role that advocacy plays in shaping the future of our field. In an era where healthcare policies, reimbursement structures, and professional regulations are in constant flux, it is more important than ever for us to engage with lawmakers, regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure that the voice of radiology is heard and our profession remains strong.

Advocacy is not just about fighting for fair reimbursement or legislative protections - although these are certainly crucial issues - it is also about ensuring that our patients have access to high-quality, timely diagnostic imaging and care. By staying involved in advocacy efforts, we help safeguard the standards of care and support the technologies that drive our ability to diagnose and treat diseases effectively.

At CRS, we are committed to representing the interests of radiologists throughout California. Whether it’s through our active participation in local and national campaigns, educating policymakers, or providing resources to help you advocate for your patients and practice, we are working to make sure that the future of radiology is bright.

I encourage each of you to become more involved in advocacy. Attend our events, connect with your legislators, and make your voice heard. Together, we can protect the integrity of our field and ensure that radiology continues to evolve in ways that benefit both our patients and our profession.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication.

Dear Members,

I am honored to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the California Radiological Society. It’s a privilege to serve this incredible organization and work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to advancing the field of radiology and enhancing the quality of care in California.

As we look to the future, I am focused on several key goals to strengthen our society and ensure we continue to thrive in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape. One of my top priorities will be growing our membership. Expanding our reach and ensuring that every radiology professional in California has access to the resources, advocacy, and community that CRS offers is crucial.

Additionally, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of a quarterly newsletter. This will be a great platform to share advocacy updates, society news, and member accomplishments, while also providing valuable resources and insights. We want to keep you informed and engaged, ensuring that CRS is your go-to source for all things radiology in California.

We will also be actively exploring non-dues revenue opportunities. By diversifying our funding streams, we can ensure CRS remains financially robust, expanding our programs and initiatives for the benefit of all our members.

As we look ahead to the upcoming membership renewal cycle, I want to remind everyone to be on the lookout for renewal notices. Your continued support and involvement are vital to the success of our society, and we look forward to having you remain an integral part of CRS.

I’m truly excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, and I am eager to work together with all of you to build a stronger, more dynamic future for CRS. Thank you for your trust, and I look forward to serving you in the years to come!

Please don't hesitate to reach out, my email is kpeyser@amgroup.us.

Support

AB 2164 (Berman) revises licensure requirements for physicians and surgeons in California. It prevents the Medical Board from mandating applicants to disclose non-impairing medical conditions. However, applicants must still disclose participation in mental health or substance use treatment programs. If an applicant acknowledges an impairment affecting their practice, the Board must inform them about probationary or limited licenses. This was a CMA sponsored bill supported by CRS. SIGNED

AB 3097 (Chen) would have provided title protection for Radiologist Assistants in California, specifically prohibiting a person from holding themselves out as a Radiologist Assistant unless that person meets specified requirements including examination and registration. This was a reintroduction of a bill that failed in previous sessions. CRS supported (but did not sponsor) AB 3097. However, ultimately due to cost, the measure was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. FAILED

Oppose

AB 3204 (Bauer Kahan) would have established a “data digester” registry, overseen by the California Privacy Protection Agency that collects and provides to the public information about entities that use personal information to train artificial intelligence systems. CRS, as well as numerous organizations impacted, opposed the bill.   The bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and died. FAILED

Neutral (previously opposed)

AB 2930 (Bauer Kahan) would have regulated the use of “automated decision systems” (ADS) in order to prevent “algorithmic discrimination.” This included requirements on developers and deployers that make and use these tools to make “consequential decisions” to perform impact assessments on ADSs. CRS initially opposed the bill, working with CMA to ensure amendments were adopted to mitigate it’s impact on physician practices. As a result, the bills application to healthcare has been stricken to only apply to employment. While CRS ultimately went neutral, the bill did not move out of the Legislature and died. SIGNED

AB 3030 (Calderon) requires specified health care providers to disclose the use of a generative artificial intelligence tool when it is used to generate communications to a patient pertaining to patient clinical information; requires such a communication to include clear instructions permitting a patient to communicate with a human health care provider or other appropriate person; and exempts from disclosure written communications that are generated by GenAI and reviewed by a licensed or certified health care provider. CRS, along with CMA, originally opposed the bill unless amended. However, it worked with the bill’s author to include language that would ensure any AI generated communication required for disclosure is specific to patient clinical information, and that required disclosure of AI not apply in those instances where it was reviewed by a human.  After the adoption of these amendments, CRS was able to move to neutral. SIGNED

The Radiology Leadership Institute (RLI) Summit was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the leadership and business side of radiology, which are areas that we don’t typically learn much about in residency training. Thanks to the generous funding from the CRS Foundation, I had the opportunity to attend this incredible event, something I would not have been able to do otherwise. The summit offered an ideal environment for learning and growth, and I’m deeply grateful for the CRS Foundation’s support in making this possible.

The most rewarding aspect of the weekend was having the opportunity to meet and network with radiologists from across the country in a small setting, including renowned leaders in radiology from both academia and private practice. The sessions were led by radiology experts and business school experts, which was ideal for learning broad concepts in leadership and also the specific ways in which we can apply these concepts to radiology practice. The interactive case studies were particularly valuable as they allowed us to share ideas and learn from each other.

I particularly appreciated the ways in which the summit organizers involved young professionals, including the trainee networking event focused on issues pertaining to the job market. It was an amazing opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who will be my future colleagues.

I highly recommend the RLI Summit to radiologists at all stages of their careers—it’s a truly rewarding experience that will help you grow both personally and professionally. I am incredibly thankful to the CRS Foundation for their sponsorship and for making my participation in this transformative event possible.

To learn more about the CRS Foundation and to make a contribution, click here.

2025 Convocation:

Benjamin Lewis Franc, MD

David Lewis McAninch, III, MD

Jeffrey S. Miller, MD

Karen D'Nese Ragland Cole, MD

Christopher John Schultz, MD

Ross Epstein Schwartzberg, MD

Loretta M. Strachowski, MD

V. Marie Tartar, MD