***AARC CALL TO ACTION*** POSSIBLE MID-LEVEL RT LEGISLATION

*** AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR RESPIRATORY CARE - CALL TO ACTION ***

THE MEDICARE RESPIRATORY THERAPY INITIATIVE WILL PROVIDE FOR MID-LEVEL OPPORTUNITIES (SIMILIAR TO PA, ARNP) FOR RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS

* National Health Reform is Being Considered Now

* Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative May Be Included

The AARC is calling you to action. One of your U.S. Senators sits on the Senate Finance Committee, which is the gatekeeper to health care reform. Health care reform is debated in that committee right now and will be a main focus for Congress this year.

We stand a very good chance of having the provisions of S. 343, the Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative, included in the health reform package.

BUT to included we must have support from the Senators who sit on the Senate Finance Committee, the Committee that oversees the Medicare Program.

You are receiving this email because one of your Senators is a member of the Senate Finance Committee (see list below) and we need you to write, email or fax a brief letter of support.

We have included:
1. The link you can use to reach your Senators website and find his/her email address
2. An example of a brief letter you can cut and paste to send to your Senator. Of course, the more original your letter the better.
3. The list of the Finance Committee Senators we are targeting. Check for yours.

Thank you for your help, we can make a difference.

How to Contact Your Senator:

Find your Senator in this list, go to their page, and follow the Contact Me link.
Sample Letter to cut and paste into your message

Dear Senator:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is currently the fourth leading cause of death and is on the rise. The allied health professionals with expertise in COPD and other pulmonary diseases are known as respiratory therapists.

Individuals with pulmonary diseases who have Medicare coverage need to have access to respiratory therapists outside the hospital setting. Your colleagues, Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), key leaders on pulmonary issues such as COPD, have introduced S. 343, the Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative, to do just that. When passed by Congress, this legislation will amend portions of the Part B Medicare law to allow respiratory therapists to deliver a broader array of services. The estimated cost over five years is $5 million.

Currently, Medicare Part B recognizes a number of medical and other health care services that can be furnished by non-physician practitioners, but respiratory therapy services and respiratory therapists are not among them. Allowing respiratory therapists parity will improve patient health and save the healthcare system precious dollars. Please include S. 343 in any health care reform legislation introduced in the Senate.

Your Constituent,

Senate Finance Committee Members

Please send the letter above to only your state's Senator. Thank you.

Max Baucus, MT
John Rockefeller, WV
Kent Conrad, ND
Jeff Bingaman, NM
John Kerry, MA
Ron Wyden, OR
Charles Schumer, NY
Debbie Stabenow, MI
Maria Cantwell, WA
Bill Nelson, FL
Robert Menendez, NJ
Thomas Carper, DE
Chuck Grassley, IA
Orrin Hatch, UT
Olympia Snowe, ME
Jon Kyl, AZ
Pat Roberts, KS
John Ensign, NV
Mike Enzi, WY
John Cornyn, TX