This year marked the start of a new Administration and the 115th Congress with Republicans now in control of both branches of government. As the transition continues, the 2017 AARC legislative agenda will consist of a two-pronged approach for AARC’s Hill Day on April 4. We want respiratory therapists included as telehealth providers in any telehealth legislation introduced this year to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries with chronic respiratory disease have access to their expertise. Additionally, we will advocate for the inclusion of language in the FY 2018 Labor-HHS Appropriations Report asking CMS to conduct a data analysis of COPD claims in various health care settings. This language requires CMS to report back to Congress and will help demonstrate that respiratory therapists improve health outcomes, reduce hospital readmissions and lower costs.
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