At the AARC, we think there’s no better cause than that of respiratory therapy and the right of respiratory patients to receive competent respiratory care. To that end, the AARC interacts with local, state, and federal governments on public policies that affect our patients and our profession. As an advocate for our members, AARC does more than simply “watchdog” issues. We aggressively advocate for the recognition of the value of respiratory therapy and therapists in all areas of public policy.
Medicare Respiratory Therapist Access Act
The AARC is embarking on a new legislative initiative for 2013. The legislation would amend Medicare Part B to add coverage of pulmonary self-management education and training services when furnished by qualified respiratory therapists in the physician practice setting to Medicare patients who have been diagnosed with COPD, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis. If enacted, this new benefit will not only enhance patient access to respiratory therapists, it will also provide Medicare pulmonary patients with the tools they need to lead healthier lives through self-management of their disease.
We’ve put together a set of frequently asked questions for AARC members to explain in much more detail the intent of the bill and how it has changed from the previous legislation we worked on. View the FAQs.
The AARC is involved in both federal and state legislative and regulatory issues. This page provides links that take you with more specific information on topics that impact respiratory therapy.
We receive frequent requests for information on how to contact members of Congress how to find Medicare information and how to find information on state respiratory therapy licensure contacts and requirements. On this main page we provide information on those frequent requests.