The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) said its Annual Respiratory Fly-In was a success, with 93 advocates attending more than 200 House and Senate meetings on Capitol Hill.

In an Oct. 12 news update, the AARC said respiratory therapists attending the Fly-In asked for support for an upcoming bill, Medicare Payment Reform for Oxygen. The association said in the news announcement that it expects Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to introduce the bill soon. AARC described the bill as hoping “to help patients receive liquid oxygen and have access to respiratory therapists through a new payment in the Medicare system.”

In their Capitol Hill meetings, AARC advocates also asked for coverage for virtual pulmonary rehab, and discussed H.R. 1406, the Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act.

The association reported that advocates felt warmly received at their meetings and that they fielded technical questions that require following up. The Fly-In is a collaborative event between the AARC and state affiliates, who share event expenses. AARC President Carl Hinkson, Executive Director Dan Garrett, and Government Affairs Chair Mike Madison were among the AARC leaders who attended the Fly-In.

Nearly every state was represented at this year’s Fly-In, which took place in person for the first time since 2019. The AARC reported that more than half of the volunteer advocates this year were attending their first Fly-In and “can’t wait to return next year.”

Image: Pixabay/oljamu