Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the radioactive materials fee schedule.

I have a small practice that I started in 2003. By keeping overhead reasonably low, we have been able to grow over the last 6 years. However, given a series of unfunded mandates and increasing expenses, as well as reduced fees for our services, we may not be able to provide the same individualized care to our patients that put us on the map in the first place.

The huge increase in fees for small business licensees that is now charged by the Commonwealth of Virginia, when compared with those those charged by the NRC, is yet another assault on our practice model.

I believe it would be more fair to charge a fee to small businesses that is similar to that the NRC has charged. Thank you for your consideration.

John F. Schmedtje Jr., MD