Source: http://www.aapm.org/government_affairs/
Timestamp: 2015-03-03 12:45:51
Document Index: 502123944

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 35', 'art 20', 'art 20', 'art 20', 'art 37', 'art 37', 'art 35']

To best represent medical physics, the AAPM has worked to establish a close and cooperative working relationship with numerous government bodies and organizations including the Congress, federal and state agencies, related professional societies and a range of medical providers, corporations and suppliers. For additional information related to AAPM’s government relations efforts, contact Lynne Fairobent, Senior Manager of Government Relations at lynne@aapm.org or 301-209-3364. FDA - MQSA National Statistics Updated
The national statistics can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/MammographyQualityStandardsActandProgram/FacilityScorecard/ucm113858.htm NRC to Hold Public Meeting Proposed 10 CFR Part 35 Rule and Guidance
NRC Issues ANPR for 10 CFR Part 20 Standards for Protection Against Radiation NRC issues the Advance Notice for Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) for 10 CFR Part 20 Standards for Protection Against Radiation was published in the Federal Register on July 25, 2014. In addition to the ANPR, NRC also published 6 Issue Papers as well. This information is contained on the NRC website: Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Potential Changes to Radiation Protection Regulations
Issue Paper 1: Update 10 CFR Part 20 to Align with International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 103 Methodology and Terminology. Issue Paper 2: Occupational Dose Limit for the Lens of the Eye.
Issue Paper 4: Individual Protection - ALARA Planning. Issue Paper 5: Metrication - Units of Radiation Exposure and Dose.
NRC will also be holding a series of public meetings specific to the six issues identified in the ANPR, however the dates and locations of these meetings has not been announced. NRC states that information on the meetings will be noticed on the NRC’s public meeting Web site at least 10 calendar days before the meeting. They suggest that stakeholders should monitor the NRC’s public meeting Web site for additional information about the public meetings. Additional background information on NRC's Options to Revise Radiation Protection Regulations and Guidance can be found here. Comments to the NRC are due on November 24, 2014, however if you have comments that you want AAPM to consider, I will need all comments by October 10th for AAPM reviews and finalization of AAPM’s comment letter. I look forward to hearing from all of you about this very important topic that will affect your Radiation Protection Programs in the years to come and I thank you in advance for your assistance! Please send any comments for AAPM’s consideration to Lynne Fairobent, Senior Manager for Government Relations at lynne@aapm.org. AAPM Working To Preserve Medical Physics Licensure in Texas (June 17, 2014)
This brochure provides a summary of findings for a subset of surveyed facilities. The link to the document is: http://www.crcpd.org/Pubs/NextTrifolds/NEXT_2005-06CT_T.pdf. You also can click on the graphic of the front cover of the trifold that is on the left. Should you have any difficulties opening the file, contact lcarigan@cerpd.org. Senate Enzi Introduce S. 338 - CARE Act June 25, 2012
Update on CA law related to CT dose View SB1237 that was signed into law September 30, 2010 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, paving the way for implementation of the first state law in the U.S. aimed at protecting patients from excessive radiation exposure received during CT scans and radiation therapy procedures. SB 1237, which the governor signed without comment along with scores of other bills, will impose strict new procedures and reporting requirements to protect patients from medical radiation overdoses when it becomes effective July 1, 2012. The bill also provides an accreditation mandate for CT scanners that will take effect January 1, 2013, six months after the other provisions. The bill requires that radiation dose be recorded on the scanned image and in a patient's health records, and that radiation overdoses be reported to patients, treating physicians, and the state Department of Public Health (DPH). It requires the same level of monitoring for therapeutic radiation used to treat cancer. Recommendations of the California Clinical and Academic Medical Physicists (C-CAMP) regarding the Reporting Guidelines
Massachusetts House Bill 3515 Per Halvorsen Testimony
Pennsylvania House Bill 1559 on Licensing Medical Physicists Introduced In mid-May, the medical physics licensure bill was introduced in the Pennsylvania (PA) General Assembly as House Bill 1559. The next step for HB 1559 is to be scheduled for public hearing, which is an opportunity for any member of the public to speak for or against the bill. One or more of the members of the Pennsylvania State Committee will be speaking in favor of HB 1559 at the hearing. Concurrently, the PA Sunrise Evaluation will continue its review process. As you may recall, the Sunrise Evaluation was instituted in PA by former Governor Ed Rendell (D) to assist the Commonwealth in determining the need and feasibility for instituting a new professional licensure law and the process is continuing through the current administration under Governor Tom Corbett (R). While it is not necessary for the medical physics licensure Sunrise Evaluation to have a positive report to move forward in the legislative process, a positive report will be critical to secure Republican co-sponsors. The PA Republicans are not likely to support a concept that the current administration does not support. Grassroots efforts to educate the legislative body on the profession and to encourage bill sponsorship are ongoing.
AAPM comments to FDA on Therapeutic Device Improvements
AAPM filed comments in response to FDA's request for comments related to device improvements to reduce the number of under- doses, over-doses and misaligned exposures from therapeutic radiation. Click here to review the comments
NRC Issues Proposed Rule – Part 37 (75 FR 33901) Physical Protection of Byproduct Material; Proposed Rule On June 15th, NRC issued a proposed rule 10 CFR Part 37, Physical Protection of Byproduct Material; Proposed Rule in the Federal Register.
Mon, 19 Apr 2010 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) Transparency Web site today as part of the agency’s transparency initiative. The site will provide information about medical device and radiation-emitting product regulatory processes and decisions, and summaries of data that provide the rationale for agency actions.
In the November 6, 2009 Federal Register (74 FR 57525) [http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-26816.pdf], the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requested comments on a draft Safety Culture Policy Statement. Comments are due February 5, 2010 (90 days after publication). The NRC is issuing a draft policy statement that sets forth the Commission’s expectation that all licensees and certificate holders establish and maintain a positive safety culture that protects public health and safety and the common defense and security when carrying out licensed activities. The Commission defines safety culture as that assembly of characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors in organizations and individuals which establishes that as an overriding priority, nuclear safety and security issues receive the attention warranted by their significance. Background information related to NRC Safety Culture can be found at: http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/enforcement/safety-culture.html. NRC CONSIDERING REVISING RADIATION PROTECTION REGULATIONS
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is seeking public comment on potential changes to the NRC’s current radiation protection regulations to achieve greater alignment between the regulations and the 2007 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) contained in ICRP Publication 103. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is looking at implementing ICRP Report 103, which includes a reduction in the annual personnel exposure limit from 50 Sv to 20 Sv. These limits would apply beyond Nuclear Medicine departments and include Cardiology and Interventional Radiology workers. AAPM is responding to NRC on this issue, but individual comments are welcome. Please see http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/rulemaking/opt-revise.html for more information. The Federal Register notice can be found at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-15950.pdf. If you have input that AAPM should consider in drafting its response, please send your comments to Lynne Fairobent, Manager of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at lynne@aapm.org by February 1, 2010.
AAPM comments on draft ICRP Report 103
NEW CARE Bill: H.R. 3652 – Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2009 Posted 12-10-2009
Posted 9-04-08 NRC staff evaluated Yttrium-90 (Y-90) microspheres which are regulated under 10 CFR 35.1000 "Other Medical Uses of Byproduct Material or Radiation for Byproduct Material" and in August 2008 issued a revised guidance document including additional specific training and experience requirements. AAPM Recent Comments to Federal Agencies
updated 1-28-09
AAPM comments at the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research Listening Session on May 13, 2009.
AAPM Provides Comments to the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee Isotope Subcommittee. 1-13-09 Additional information related to the NSACI is posted on the GRAC website. AAPM comments to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and Services, Current Health Policy Coding information.
AAPM Provides Comments to the NRC on CsCl Sources 10-15-08
AAPM Submits Nominations for the NRC's Advisory Committee on Medical uses of Isotopes AAPM Sends Letter to NRC chairman Klein re: Petition Determination on 10 CFR Part 35 T&E 9-22-08 AAPM Submits Comments on NRDC Petition re: HEU AAPM Provides Comments to the Office of Management and Budget on NRC Proposed Rule re: Expanding the National Source Tracking System AAPM Provides Comments to NRC on the Proposed Rule to Expand the National Source Tracking System. FDA Issues Public Health Notification Posted 7-15-08 FDA informed healthcare professionals of the possibility that x-rays used during CT examinations may cause some implanted and external electronic medical devices to malfunction. Most patients with electronic medical devices undergo CT scans without any adverse consequences. However, the Agency has received a small number of reports of adverse events in which CT scans may have interfered with electronic medical devices, including pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, and implanted or externally worn drug infusion pumps. FDA is continuing to investigate the issue and is working with the manufacturer to raise awareness in the healthcare community. See the FDA Public Health Notification for a description of adverse event reports and recommendations regarding reducing the potential risk to patients. Read the entire 2008 MedWatch Safety Summary, including a link to the FDA Public Health Notification regarding this issue at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#ElectronicMedical AAPM comments on the draft FDA public health notification posted 04-08 House, Senate Override President's Veto Of Medicare Bill
Regulatory Guide 6.1 Leak Testing Radioactive Brachytherapy Sources: This regulatory guide endorses the method described in Volumes 3 and 9 of NUREG-1556 as a process that the NRC has found to be acceptable for meeting the regulatory requirements for leak testing of radioactive brachytherapy sources. Link to NUREG-1556: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1556/v9/r2/ Regulatory Guide 10.2 Guidance to Academic institutions Applying for Licences of Limited Scope: This regulatory guide endorses the methods and procedures for limited scope byproduct material licensing contained in the current revision of NUREG-1556, Volume 7, “Consolidated Guidance about Materials Licenses: Program-Specific Guidance about Academic, Research, and Development, and Other Licenses of Limited Scope” (Ref. 4), as a process that the NRC staff has found acceptable for meeting the regulatory requirements. Link: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1556/v7/ Senate Passes Medicare Bill 7-10-08
The Senate has passed the Medicare bill (H.R. 6331) which averts the 10.6% decrease tothe conversion factor effective July 1st and mandates an additional 1.1% increase in the(January 1, 2008-June 30, 2008) conversion factor for 2009. In essence, theestimated 16% across the board reduction to physician and freestandingclinic payments effective January 1, 2009 has now become a slight 1.1% increase to payments implemented on January 1, 2008.The White House reports that the President will veto the bill, however, the legislation passed both the House and Senate by a large margin to likely secure a veto-proof physician payment fix package.
The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) and the Department of Energy have initiated a rare opportunity for radioactive material licensees to have financial assistance in properly disposing of unwanted sealed sources. The program is entitled “Source Collection and Threat Reduction” or “SCATR.” The AAPM endorses the SCATR program and encourages AAPM members to have their licensees register and take advantage of this opportunity. For additional information and to register your sources click here CRCPD SCATR. Federal Agency Issues The responsibility for ensuring the safe use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing machines is shared by a number of federal agencies and states. Key federal agencies are the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Comments filed by the AAPM Archived Information