Your Lung Health Virtual Lobby Day August 4th 2010

Join us for “Virtual” Lobby Day on August 4th.  The AARC is hosting a “Virtual” Lobby Day to gain Congressional support and attention for the Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative. We picked this one day to flood members of Congress, both Senators and House Members.  We want to remind them that we need co-sponsors for our legislation (HR 1077 in the House and S 343 in the Senate). This legislation, when passed, will give pulmonary patients greater access to respiratory therapists in their doctor’s office.

Besides hearing from respiratory therapists, it’s very important that members of Congress hear from patients, family, friends and caregivers. Senators and Representatives listen intently to voters from home and especially from those of you whose health can be improved when respiratory therapists directly assist you.

If you have access to a computer you can join the effort from anywhere you are. Read all about the day and learn how easy it is to participate in this important and fun event.

Here’s the background on this important Medicare respiratory therapy legislation:

When Medicare was created 40 years ago, very few respiratory therapy services were provided outside of the hospital. However, times and respiratory medicine has significantly changed, but Medicare, at least in terms of respiratory therapy has not.

Now, there are important services such as smoking cessation, asthma management, home care services, patient education, and other doctor's office and home services available that should be offered by health care professionals such as the respiratory therapist.

HR 1107 and S 343 , The Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative would revise the Medicare program to permit certain highly qualified respiratory therapists to provide the types of services mentioned above to Medicare patients without the physician having to physically be in the office.

In addition, if medically appropriate, the respiratory therapist could provide a home visit (something they cannot not now do under Medicare) as a substitute for a physician who might visit you at home. Respiratory therapists would still be under physician supervision, but if this becomes law, qualified respiratory therapists could provide services as a physician's extender, and not have to have the doctor always on site.

This is good for the doctor, good for the respiratory therapist and most importantly good for you the pulmonary patient.