President's Message

From the President

On behalf of our Leadership team, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for this privilege to serve you this year.  Even in this difficult economic climate, our profession and our organization continue to grow in Michigan.  We have surpassed 1,000 members and we have members who for the first time are offering to step up and serve. 

Our profession faces many challenges - but challenges create opportunities.  And to capitalize on opportunities, Respiratory Care must be seen and heard in today's healthcare reimbursement environment.   As a society, our organization has been making our professional interests and needs known at both state and federal government levels.  And, we have been fully engaged with the AARC to coordinate our political action efforts at these levels. 

I often hear, “what has MSRC done for me?”.  Well, here’s a small sample…

  • We provide you CRCE opportunities for NBRC credentialing by holding TWO conferences and various one day seminars throughout the year.
  • We continue to work closely with the Michigan Board of Respiratory Care and forward your professional practice concerns to them. 
  • We continue to work very closely with the Board for state licensure continuing education requirements; the Board recently completed a five hospital trial of the proposed “professional development program” (PDP) with assistance of the MSRC to ensure a quality continuing education program.  We are hopeful the Board will be able to finalize the program and forward to the Legislature for approval by the end of 2010.
  • We have initiatied dialog with our professional colleagues in the other healthcare professional societies such as the Michigan Association of Emergency Medical Techicians and the Registered Nurses Association in Michigan to discuss areas of mutual interest to promote patient safety and optimize patient care.
  • The MSRC is becoming more politically engaged; in the Fall of 2009, MSRC Past-President Al Moss testified in front of the Michigan Legislature to speak in support of the No Smoking bill (which is now law).  
  • We are keeping a close eye on Michigan House Bill 4915 (Michigan Consumer Protect Act) as new verbiage has been introduced to expand litigation coverage to include licensed healthcare professionals such as respiratory care practitioners; the MSRC has sent a letter of opposition objecting to the new verbiage - joining over 80 organizations in opposing this bill provision. 
  • At a national level, we sent two MSRC representatives Teena Culhane and Julia Prins to Washington D.C. for AARC PACT Day – where Teena and Julia met with every elected official from Michigan except one to discuss House bill (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1077) and its companion Senate bill (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-343).  These bills if passed will grant patient access to skilled respiratory therapists in the physician office setting. 
  • We are working closely with the AARC and strongly support HR3790 (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-3790) – the bill to repeal “competitive bidding” for home care.  The MSRC has mailed as well as hand delivered letters to Rep Sandy Levin urging him to take the bill to the floor for vote.
  • Due to at least two patient deaths from mechanical ventilators in the home, the FDA is looking at “complex medical devices” such as ventilators and dialysis machines (http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm209138.htm), (http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=115583).  We have been proactive to alert the AARC and are monitoring the FDA’s first step of a 10 month trial revolving around manufacturer labeling.  We are poised to discuss the need for skilled respiratory therapists to be actively involved with mechanical ventilation and other respiratory care devices in the home care setting.

These are some of the things MSRC is doing for you this year to promote and protect our profession.  We believe Respiratory Care Practitioners should decide the future of safe and competent Respiratory Care, so if you are not a member, we urge you to join.  If you are already member, we encourage you to volunteer to serve.  If you have any questions, comments, issues, or concerns, please contact me.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Regards,

Steven K Hamick, BIS, RCP, RRT, AE-C
President