June 15, 2006

AARC Summer Meetings Coming Up July 13-17    
Have you registered for the AARC's Summer Meetings yet? If not, now is the time to sign up for these valuable sessions. The Summer Meetings kick off July 13 at the beautiful all-suites Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix, AZ, and promise to deliver just the kind of cutting edge continuing education you need to stay one step ahead in your career.

Indoor Asthma Triggers Workshop Heads to Grand Rapids, MI
Want to learn more about indoor asthma triggers and how to help your patients avoid them? Then be on hand for the August 7 presentation of the ARCF/EPA Indoor Environmental Asthma Triggers Workshop in Grand Rapids, MI. This great course carries 4 FREE CRCEs for respiratory therapists and is now open to nurses too, who may earn 4.8 continuing nursing education credits.

AARC Requests Meeting with Surgeon General to Discuss RT Commissions
The AARC is stepping up its efforts to promote commissions for respiratory therapists in the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS). The Association just sent a letter to Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona requesting a meeting to discuss the issue, pointing out a new PHS white paper recommends such commissions for RTs and also highlighting the increasingly important role RTs are playing in disaster planning efforts at the Department of Health and Human Services.

New Jersey Official Recognizes Important Role RTs Will Play in Pandemic Flu
New Jersey RTs have received a vote of confidence from a representative of the state's Emergency Response Division. In a letter to the state society, David Gruber writes, “ In the event of an influenza pandemic, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services recognizes the critical role respiratory care practitioners will play in caring for those who are ill.” The New Jersey Society is just one of many getting involved in disaster planning efforts.

AARC Supports Bill to Rescind Oxygen Provisions in the DRA
The AARC is throwing its support behind new legislation in Congress aimed at rescinding provisions in the Deficit Reduction Act calling for Medicare beneficiaries to assume ownership of their home oxygen equipment after 36 months. HR 5513 would restore the previous payment method, which the AARC believes is necessary to protect these vulnerable patients from problems related to the servicing of their equipment.

Comments or questions? Send them to info@aarc.org.