Post: The BREATHE Act will allow qualified respiratory therapists as telehealth practitioners to deliver disease management services to Medicare beneficiaries with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Contact Congress NOW and ask the House to consider co-sponsoring the BREATHE Act when introduced and the Senate to introduce companion legislation, don’t delay! #breathingmatters #aarclobby

Post:COPD patients involved in studies that included telehealth home monitoring to enhance patient education and self-management skills had improved health outcomes, lower healthcare resource utilization, and decreased healthcare costs. Contact Congress NOW and ask the House to consider co-sponsoring the BREATHE Act when introduced and the Senate to introduce companion legislation that will give Medicare the tools it needs to demonstrate the value respiratory therapists bring to the health care system and their patients! #breathingmatters #aarclobby

Post:Respiratory therapists are not currently included as qualified Medicare telehealth practitioners. Contact Congress NOW and ask House members to co-sponsor The BREATHE Act and the Senate to introduce companion legislation that will give Medicare the tools it needs to demonstrate the value respiratory therapists bring to the health care system, telehealth and their patients! #breathingmatters #aarclobby

Post:Contact Congress NOW and ask the House to consider co-sponsoring the Better Respiration through Expanding Access to Tele-Health Act and the Senate to introduce companion legislation! Medicare beneficiaries with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) deserve premium care! #breathingmatters #aarclobby

Post: Individuals who need liquid oxygen, such as those with pulmonary fibrosis and advanced-stage COPD may be seriously impacted by a recent change in Medicare. On January 1, 2019, Medicare suspended its competitive bidding program for 18-24 months (e.g., gap period). We are asking members of Congress to sign a letter to the Medicare Administrator when it becomes available directing the Medicare program to carefully monitor patient access to liquid oxygen during this gap period. Respiratory patients deserve the right oxygen modality, at the right time, to meet their needs. #aarclobby #breathingmatters

Post:Fact: Respiratory therapists are not currently included as qualified Medicare telehealth practitioners. [big text similar to the telehealth post maybe?]Contact Congress NOW and ask House members to consider co-sponsoring the BREATHE Act when introduced and the Senate to introduce companion legislation that will give Medicare the tools it needs to demonstrate the value respiratory therapists bring to the health care system, telehealth and their patients! #breathingmatters #aarclobby

Post: Since Medicare changed the way it pays for oxygen through a competitive bidding process, data shows patient access to liquid oxygen for those whose medical needs depend on it has declined significantly. CONTACT CONGRESS NOW and ask them to sign a letter to the Medicare administrator when it becomes available directing the Medicare program to carefully monitor patient access to liquid oxygen during the suspension of competitive bidding. Patients are already hearing from suppliers that they will no longer provide liquid oxygen. #breathingmatters #aarclobby