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Resources for Scheduling a Congressional Meeting 

Research your Member’s committee assignments, district priorities, recent health care votes, hospitals, and lung disease statistics. Develop a concise personal story demonstrating how respiratory therapists improve patient outcomes. Meetings with congressional staff are valuable and often influence legislative decisions. If you do not know an answer, tell the office you will follow up through AARC. Keep discussions professional and nonpartisan. 

Find out if your member of Congress sits on key committees:  

Helpful Resources for Scheduling a Meeting

  1. Introductions
  2. Thank the Member or staff.
  3. Share your personal story.
  4. Discuss AARC legislative priorities.
  5. Make specific legislative asks.
  6. Answer questions.
  7. Leave printed materials and request follow-up. 

Before:  

  • Schedule meeting 
  • Review background 
  • Assemble materials 
  • Consider asking a patient partner to join you in the meeting 

During:  

  • Stay on message 
  • Connect legislation to patients 
  • Ask for support. 

After: 

  • Send thank-you email 
  • Report meeting to AARC 
  • Maintain contact 

Subject: Meeting Request During August District Work Period 
 
Dear Representative/Senator, 
 
I am a respiratory therapist and constituent. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you during the August district work period to discuss respiratory care priorities affecting patients in our community, including supplemental oxygen access, Medicare payment policy, and workforce issues. 
 
Thank you for your consideration. 

Thank you for meeting with me. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss AARC’s federal priorities. Please let me know if I can provide additional information regarding the SOAR Act, AIR Act, virtual pulmonary rehabilitation, or the respiratory therapy workforce. 

LinkedIn/Facebook/X: 
‘I was honored to meet with [Member] to discuss improving access to respiratory care through the SOAR Act, the AIR Act, and permanent virtual pulmonary rehabilitation. #RespiratoryCare #AARC #SOARAct’ 
Suggested graphics: meeting photo, Capitol or district office. 

Priority  Ask 
SOAR Act  Co-sponsor and advance H.R. 2902 / S. 1406 
AIR Act  Support Medicare payment for RT professional services 

Draft Legislation can be sent to staff and members as a follow-up 
Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation  Permanently authorize Medicare coverage 
Workforce  Invest in education, faculty development, and rural workforce initiatives 

Handling Difficult Questions

Suggested response: 

“AARC supports policies that improve patient outcomes while using Medicare resources efficiently. Several proposals are designed to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and improve long-term value. We would be pleased to provide additional information on cost analyses.” 

“Respiratory therapists work as part of physician-led teams. Our specialized education allows physicians to extend access to high-quality respiratory care while improving efficiency.” 

“No. Respiratory therapists complement nurses and other professionals by providing specialized cardiopulmonary expertise within interdisciplinary care teams.”

Perfect opportunity. 

Explain: 

  • Education 
  • Credentialing 
  • Licensure 
  • Scope of practice 
  • Clinical expertise 

Sample One-Page Congressional Leave-Behind

Use this document as a resource to leave with congressional staff for follow up and more information.