Echocardiography practice issues: reimbursement, quality control, training, and credentialing.

With the major changes in the delivery of medical care brought about by "health care reform," the American Society of Echocardiography has become active in dealing with a variety of issues related to reimbursement, continuing quality improvement, training, examination, and certification outcomes research, and strengthening of relations with local societies. These efforts will undoubtedly continue to occupy a major role in the Society's agenda. The importance of cooperation among echocardiographers, sonographers, and other cardiac ultrasound professionals in ensuring the proper role of echocardiography in the practice of medicine cannot be overemphasized.