Health Care Policy Consultants to the US Government: Who Are They? And Why Radiologists Should Care

Although expert staff members provide an array of assistance to our legislators and president, in setting and implementing health policy, there is always a need for further expertise. The Congressional Budget Office, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the US Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Research Service, and the Institute of Medicine represent distinct areas of expertise, process, and timeliness in providing high-level research to our governmental officials. Understanding these organizations and, at times, providing them with needed external background and support can be helpful to the profession of radiology and the improvement in health services in this country.