November 9, 2006

Take Time to Honor Service Men and Women on Veterans’ Day
Veterans’ Day is this Saturday, and the AARC is paying special tribute to all its military members, both present and past. We also want to say a special thanks to all the sons, daughters, friends, and relatives of AARC members who are serving as well.

Final Rule on Home Oxygen Equipment Takes AARC’s Comments into Account
CMS has just published its final rule governing home oxygen equipment, and the AARC was heartened to learn many of the issues it had raised concerning the provisions were addressed.

New RT-Related CPT Codes On the Way
The AARC has learned of new CPT codes pertaining to the delivery of services administered to pulmonary patients in the outpatient setting. The new codes, which will go online in 2007, are expected to enhance reporting and billing of respiratory care services to patients in this setting.

Radio Spots Reach 17 Million During RC Week
Yes, that’s correct—more than 17 million Americans heard special messages about respiratory therapists during RC Week, thanks to the AARC’s ongoing Hometown Radio series. If you missed them, you can tune in right now and hear what your local RTs had to say.

RT Heading to U.S. Congress
For the first time ever, respiratory therapists will have one of their own in Congress. David Davis, BS, RRT, CHT, has just won the 1st Congressional seat in Tennessee, capturing more than 60 percent of the vote. Davis has pledged to support key RT issues, including HR 964, the bill to add RTs to the Medicare home health benefit.

Ha Ha, He He…
AARC member Brenda Celmer really knows how to lift the spirits of her Easy Breather group—it’s all about the laughter. Read more about her unique approach and how it’s helping her patients not only develop a brighter outlook on life but improved lung function as well.

Asthma Management Award Taking Applications Now
Applications are being accepted now through February 16 for the EPA’s third annual National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management. The AARC urges everyone with a program that meets the criteria to apply—it’s a great way to let the EPA know RTs lead the way in asthma management.

We Want Your Videos
The AARC has been asking members to send in their RT videos for the past several weeks, but time is quickly running out to submit your work—the Association must receive all videos by November 20 to consider including them in upcoming promotional materials. If you know you’ll have a video on the way, email Sherry Milligan today!

Want to see what we’ve already collected? Click on the link to watch several heartwarming and, in some cases, downright hilarious, videos taped at the recent AARP @ 50 conference.

Good Press
This week’s newsmakers include therapists who garnered great coverage during RC Week and more.

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