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 and asthma management, home care services and 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 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.

Right now, the HR 1107 and the Senate version S 343 Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative need to gain support from both Senators and members of the House of Representatives, and hearing from the people back in the state is the very best way to find that support for this important legislation.

Message to Send to Congress
The following is a brief message you can use as a model, by filling in your personal information to write to your members of Congress to show your support for the HR 1107 and S 343- The Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative.