The AHRA Regulatory Affairs Advisory Board entered 2025 with a steady focus to continue addressing the evolving regulatory landscape in medical imaging and healthcare policy. Approaching with the perspective of what AHRA members need to know to be most successful in their roles and to facilitate the maintenance and growth of key knowledge within AHRA, the group transitioned from a traditional committee structure to an advisory board model to foster greater agility, inclusivity of all organizational types, and responsiveness in its advocacy and member engagement efforts. 

A cornerstone of the board’s 2025 strategy was to deepen member engagement through targeted surveys and interactive forums. Early in the year, the board initiated a comprehensive member survey to identify top regulatory concerns, including Medicaid cuts, tariff policies, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in radiology. The insights gathered from the survey were assimilated into the goals and focus of the group and continue to guide the development of webinars, podcasts, and panel discussions designed to inform and empower AHRA members.

A continued focus in 2025 was the support of the multi-organizational Remote Scanning Task Force. A second targeted survey was administered this year, which has been instrumental in gathering data on remote imaging practices and plans. Findings from the task force’s survey are being synthesized into educational content and will inform AHRA’s leadership moving forward.

Throughout 2025, the Advisory Board has maintained a vigilant watch on federal policy developments. Legislative updates have focused on the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act (MARCA), proposed changes to the Medical Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS), and Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) for 2026. AHRA has endorsed MARCA and submitted comment letters supporting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’s) proposal to adopt remote direct supervision and opposing site-neutral payment expansions.

The group, supported by our outside experts, Capitol Associates, is also closely monitoring broader reforms, such as the PAYGO Act’s potential impact on Medicare funding and the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which could significantly affect insurance coverage in 2026. These issues are being tracked for their downstream effects on imaging providers and patient access.

Recognizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration, AHRA has actively engaged with organizations like ACR, ASRT, ARRT, RBMA, and corporate partners to align regulatory positions and share insights. Discussions around virtual supervision guidelines and prior authorization reforms have highlighted the need for unified advocacy and strategic partnerships.

The Advisory Board is also exploring ways to include more voices in its deliberations. Interest from AHRA Annual Conference attendees has led to plans for onboarding new members and expanding participation in future meetings.

As the healthcare landscape continues to shift, AHRA’s Regulatory Affairs Advisory Board is positioning itself as a dynamic force for member advocacy and policy influence. With a focus on transparency, responsiveness, and strategic foresight, the board is committed to shaping regulatory outcomes that support imaging professionals and enhance patient care.

From monitoring legislative developments to amplifying member concerns, AHRA’s regulatory mission for 2025 and 2026 reflects a proactive, inclusive, and data-informed approach — one that ensures the voice of AHRA radiology leadership is heard by all appropriate industry stakeholders.