December 2025—Washington Update is a monthly publication by RSNA Government Relations, intended to deliver updates regarding current federal policy developments and to highlight RSNA’s initiatives to advance the Society’s policy objectives. All material featured in this newsletter reflects the most current information available at the time of release.

RSNA in Action

FDA Seeks Information on Evaluating AI Enabled Medical Device Performance

On Dec. 1, RSNA submitted comments in response to the FDA’s Request for Public Comment on Measuring and Evaluating AI-enabled Medical Devices in the Real World. RSNA’s comments highlighted the importance of quality datasets, standardized benchmarks and governance principles to ensure transparency, patient safety and interoperability. The Society’s comments also addressed monitoring challenges including data drift and automation bias in the deployment of AI-enabled medical devices. Read the letter and learn more about RSNA’s health AI policy priorities.

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Inquires about AI Regulation 

In late October, RSNA submitted comments in response to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Request for Information on the best practices for regulating AI. RSNA’s comments emphasized the need for regulation that is smart, adaptive and grounded in the shared responsibility to protect patients. The comments also highlight how outdated policies, misaligned regulatory frameworks, underused administrative tools, poor cross-agency collaboration and patient trust are all critical factors to consider when attempting to improve the AI regulatory environment. Read the letter.

FDA Holds Second Meeting of its Digital Health Advisory Committee Meeting 

On Nov. 6, the FDA Digital Health Advisory Committee (DHAC) brought together medical experts from the FDA and the broader biomedical community to examine the growing role of generative AI in mental health care. The conversation highlighted the unique challenges and opportunities related to AI’s integration in mental health treatment and the importance of developing specialty-specific AI models that report diagnostic ambiguity. This meeting followed the first DHAC meeting, held in November 2024, which focused on total product lifecycle considerations for generative AI-enabled medical devices.

2025 in Review

RSNA Government Relations 2025: The Year in Review

Reflecting on a dynamic and impactful year, RSNA Government Relations made significant strides in shaping federal policy and advancing advocacy for medical imaging. Under the leadership of inaugural Government Relations Committee Chair Dr. Pedram Heidari and Board Liaison Dr. Pari Pandharipande, this year represents a pivotal moment for the Government Relations Committee. The following initiatives highlight the organization’s key engagements and achievements throughout 2025.

Washington Update: In July, RSNA launched this e-newsletter designed to keep members informed about the latest government relations activities, policy updates and advocacy efforts—helping radiologists stay informed of rapidly evolving federal policy developments. This newsletter is also shared with the Society’s federal partners to promote policies and issues relevant to the expertise of radiologists.

Responding to Requests for Information/Comment: Over the past year, RSNA submitted seven comment letters to federal agencies, elevating radiology’s voice and demonstrating the expertise of the Society’s members. RSNA’s comments ultimately help to inform the development of guidance, rules and regulations that impact medical imaging and the practice of radiology.

Meeting with Federal Policymakers: Throughout the year, RSNA Government Relations enhanced its presence in DC, meeting directly with federal policymakers in Congress and federal agencies. In the spring, RSNA submitted its first written testimony to Congress and, in the fall, organized a series of focused meetings with policy experts at HHS and FDA for collaborative discussions aimed at informing AI policy development and research priorities.

Coalition Activities: RSNA strengthened its partnerships with allies in the biomedical research advocacy community by participating in coalition activities, co-signing joint advocacy letters and collaborating on shared priorities to further amplify the impact of our advocacy initiatives.

RSNA 2025: The Government Relations Committee sponsored three educational sessions at this year’s annual meeting—one focused on NIH policy and funding issues and two focused on regulatory and policy frameworks for the use of AI in medical imaging. In addition to hosting these three sessions, RSNA Government Relations hosted Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) for a tour of the Technical Exhibits halls.

Representative Mike Quigley with past Board Liaison for Government Relations, Dr. Pari Pandharipande and past Board Member, Dr. Rich Heller.

Reflecting on a year marked by strategic advocacy, collaborative partnerships and impactful policy engagement, RSNA Government Relations stands poised to leverage its 2025 accomplishments as a foundation for even greater progress in the years to come. The Society’s proactive initiatives—ranging from launching informative newsletters and responding to federal requests, to convening expert panels and forging strong coalitions—have positioned RSNA as a trusted voice in shaping medical imaging policy. With 2026 on the horizon, we are ready to build on this year’s achievements and further strengthen its influence across the federal policy landscape.

In The News

AP: US health department unveils strategy to expand its adoption of AI technology

On December 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its comprehensive AI strategy, outlining plans to integrate artificial intelligence into healthcare operations. The plan includes five core pillars: Ensure Governance and Risk Management for Public Trust; Design Infrastructure and Platforms for User Needs; Promote Workforce Development and Burden Reduction for Efficiency; Foster Health Research and Reproducibility through Gold‑Standard Science; and Enable Care and Public Health Delivery Modernization for Better Outcomes.

Nature: The US government shutdown is over: what’s next for scientists

On November 12, President Trump signed a Continuing Resolution passed by Congress, ending the 43-day long government shutdown. During the shutdown, activities deemed “essential” continued while “non-essential” activities like scientific grant reviews were halted. With the government open, program officers across scientific agencies including the NSF and NIH are looking to reschedule the hundreds of research projects that were disrupted by the shutdown.

AP: Trump signs executive order for AI project called Genesis Mission to boost scientific discoveries

On November 24, President Trump signed an Executive Order to launch the Genesis AI Mission, which aims to accelerate scientific discovery by leveraging advanced AI tools. The order also directs the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology to set up federally funded AI training programs, helping science professionals learn how to incorporate AI into their work processes.

Contact RSNA Government Relations with questions or feedback.

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