Advocacy

MSRC Advocacy

The MSRC, in partnership with the AARC, works with the state and federal government to serve as an advocate and resource for our patients, their families, the public-at-large, our profession and all respiratory care practitioners.

The MSRC Legislative Committee has the duty of concerning itself with legislation and government regulations pertaining to healthcare, patients or the respiratory care profession on a state level. The Legislative Committee participates with state government agencies and legislators as needed and prepares statements on the MSRC's position with regard to legislation or regulations subject to the approval of the MSRC's House of Representatives.

The Political Advocacy Contact Team (PACT) Committee has the duty of concerning itself with legislation and government regulations pertaining to healthcare, patients or the respiratory care profession on a federal level. The PACT was formed several years ago by the AARC and is composed of more than 90 respiratory therapists in 48 states, including Michigan's committee members. The PACT is designed to support these AARC members, who have volunteered to keep watch over state and local issues, as well as participate with government agencies and legislators as needed, foster relationships with elected officials, and prepare statements on the MSRC's position with regard to legislation or regulations subject to the approval of the MSRC's House of Representatives.

Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative Update

As you are no doubt aware, health reform has been the hot topic in Washington DC this past year. What will likely happen is that a health reform bill will be the one and only big health care legislative initiative in Congress. Medicare bill provisions that have nothing to do with actual health reform will be attached to this one large bill.

As you may remember, S 343 and HR 1077 are being considered in Congress now. This is our Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative that will expand the ability of qualified respiratory therapists to deliver services in physician offices without the physician having to be in the office when they do it.To ensure our bills move forward, we need to urge Congress to include the provisions of those bills into the health reform legislation.

So you're on tap for a job. . . we need you to write to your members of Congress now and ask them to include S 343 (in the Senate) and HR 1077 (in the House) in the health care reform that moves forward.

With the help of the AARC, we've made this easy. You can use the email authoring tools on the AARC's website to contact Michigan's Congressional delegation with a preformatted letter, or use that as a starting point for your more personalized message. Remember, the more unique messages Congress receives, the more likely they are to stick in the minds of our elected officials. Also, not only can you help in this fight, encourage your coworkers, friends and patients to offer their support!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Respiratory Care Initiative

Physician Letter Template

Patient Letter Template