PACT Members Visit Congressional Offices

February 7, 2006

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, over 240 visits to members of Congress were made on behalf of respiratory therapists and their patients.

That means it’s PACT time in Washington and this week, about 100 RTs have traveled to Washington DC to participate in the annual Political Advocacy Contact Team effort to bring issues of importance to our Congressional decision-makers.

The meeting started Monday, with presentations geared toward bringing the RT advocates up to date on issues facing the profession. As they headed out on Tuesday, they briefed their members of Congress or their legislative aides on HR 964 (reimbursement of respiratory therapist services in the home) and S 1440 (national coverage policy for pulmonary rehabilitation).

Cheryl West, AARC’s Director of Government Affairs, led the effort. Presentations by patients (and Alpha-1 and COPD patient) lauded the RTs for their work. A legislative aide to Congressman Rick Renzi briefed participants on how Washington works and helped prepare them for their visits. Medicare updates were also received by the group.

The Political Advocacy Contact Team or PACT has been in operation for about 10 years. This group of dedicated respiratory therapists has prepared for years to learn the art and science of lobbying Congressional decision-makers. Some of the members of the PACT have served for the entire ten-year term. Others are coming in and learning the ropes.

PACT participants are supposed to serve for a minimum of three years, so that they can use the knowledge they learn at the PACT meeting and throughout the year to be vital advocates for the profession. PACT members have also built networks of willing volunteers back in their states to serve on the “435 Plan,” an effort geared at identifying two RTs and one patient in each Congressional district in the U.S. (of which there are 435). These individuals serve as touchstones for their U.S. Representatives and Senators.

Thanks to the PACT members who are in Washington, lobbying on behalf of the profession!

Miriam O'Day, the AARC's legislative consultant in Washington DC, gave PACT attendees some lobbying pointers before they marched on Capitol Hill the next day.

Hearing the perspective of consumers such as that of the founder of COPD-Alert, Vlady Rozenbaum, helped reinforce for PACT members the vital nature of their business.

Michigan Society Past Presidents (from left) Carl Haas, Marge Perech and Christopher Kitchen (right) met with Senator Debbie Stabenow.  In addition, the team met with all 15 Representatives and Senator Levin.