Write to Congress in Support of Respiratory Therapy!
HR 6376
HR 6376 would revise the current PR law and ease the strict requirement that
only a physician may supervise a pulmonary rehabilitation program. It would
permit other Medicare defined “non physician practitioners” such as nurse
practitioners and physician assistants (in addition to physicians) to supervise
a PR program. Be aware that CMS permits non physician practitioners to
supervise many other Medicare outpatient services and programs yet will not
permit the same for PR programs.
CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT!
The Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative Act
Replaces HR1077 & S 373, A new name for a new year!
Send message by clicking here
Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative FAQ
As President of the Montana Society for Respiratory Care (MSRC) an
association representing the interests of nearly 520 licensed respiratory
therapists in our state I urge the Montana Congressional delegation to support
The Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative Act. This legislation will give
physicians the flexibility to employ qualified respiratory therapists who will
provide focused respiratory services to Medicare beneficiaries suffering from
pulmonary disease and conditions. Respiratory therapists are uniquely
qualified through their education and training to assist the physician in
providing these specialized services to respiratory compromised patients of
all ages. Such services and clinical expertise would include asthma and
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) management, inhalation
medication device selection accompanied with crucial patient education on
device usage, smoking cessation, oxygen therapy assessment and
appropriate respiratory equipment recommendations. Millions of
Americans suffer from lung diseases. The 2010 American Lung Association
Prevalence of Lung Disease Report finds in Montana alone there are: 71,400
people with adult asthma 33,438 suffer from chronic bronchitis 13,677 have
emphysema The cost to the health care system of providing care and services
is staggering. If these respiratory diseases are not prevented and managed
correctly, the costs to care for these individuals rise unnecessarily. If enacted,
Medicare patients with lung disease will have greater access to respiratory
therapists who will be able to help the patient manage and treat their disease.
Better management and treatment means better outcomes and less cost to
our health care system. The hundreds of Montana respiratory therapists
support this legislation. As our representatives in Congress, we are asking for
you to co-sponsor The Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative Act.
Sincerely,
Gia Holiway, RRT MSRC President
gia.holiway@livingstonhealthcare.org
Send message by clicking here
Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative FAQ
With mass emails coming in to your Representative’s and Senators’ offices, you pave
the way for your respiratory therapist PACT representative to effectively state that
this legislation is important to the respiratory therapists and the pulmonary patients
back home.
By using the AARC’s Capitol Connection, we’ve made it easy to send an email
message to your members in Congress.
Send message by clicking here
The annual PACT Capitol Hill Lobby Day is a joint effort between the AARC and the
state respiratory care societies. The PACT representatives from your state are
respiratory therapists who have been appointed by your state society leadership for
their ability to effectively bring key messages to lawmakers. Help your PACT
representative to bring the message of the respiratory therapy profession to
Congress. Email your members of Congress today and urge your colleagues,
patients and family to do the same.