The Emergency Coalition to Save Cancer Imaging (ECSCI) is a grassroots, nonprofit organization comprised of thousands of New Yorkers concerned about access to life-saving medical imaging. ECSCI is dedicated to preserving critical services such as mammography, CT and PET scans, MRI and other preventative and cancer-detecting services now being threatened by federal cuts.

The Coalition has no ties to industry or major corporations and whose members do not participate in the self-referral of exams. Since its formation in July of 2009, the Coalition has gathered over 30,000 petition signatures from downstate New Yorkers in support of protecting these vital cancer screening services.

Since the passage of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, we have seen a dramatic and frightening reduction in investment in medical imaging. Since that act, many radiologists have had to significantly cut back on budgets. As a result, we have seen reductions of staffs, delayed upgrades to new state-of-the-art technology and, ultimately, longer waits times for our patients which means longer waits for cancer detection and treatment.

Now, just a few years after the original cuts, new imaging cuts are being proposed that will decimate imaging further. We are deeply concerned that these cuts will result in the elimination of radiology innovation, drive radiologists out of business and result in large shortages of imaging equipment.

These proposed cuts in Medicare spending are not addressing "waste and abuse" but instead are attacking those at the forefront of early detection of cancer.

The Emergency Coalition to Save Cancer Imaging is dedicated to fighting these cuts, protecting Medicare and making sure we do not let women and seniors face a further reduction in access to medical imaging.

Join us and help ensure we will not turn back the clock on medical innovations and early detection of cancer. Please sign our petition and have your voice heard.

For more information, please contact us at: savecancerimaging@gmail.com