Advocacy

The NCSRC Political Advocacy Contact Team, or PACT, is part of a nationwide communication and action network formed in 1998 by the American Association for Respiratory Care. The purpose of this program is to advocate public policies that will have a positive impact on the respiratory care community. With growing public scrutiny of health care and respiratory care, it is critical that state and federal legislators and administrators hear the voices of respiratory therapists.

The following represents activity currently completed or undertaken by the PACT:

• Build a link from the NCSRC web site to the Capital Connection on the AARC's web site.
• Create a PACT Coordinator column in the NCSRC Reporter and on the NCSRC web site.
• Regular attendance to national PACT meetings.
• Invite a representative of the state government to speak at the state society's convention each year. E. Norris Tolson, Secretary of Revenue, North Carolina Department of Revenue, will speak at NCSRC Symposium by the Sea, which is being held September 4-6, 2002 in Wrightsville Beach.
• Develop a list of allies and consumer groups. Establish contact and communication with these groups to discuss issues of mutual concern. We now have contacts with ALA, Better Breathers, asthma coalition throughout the state, AWAKE (CPAP users/ sleep apnea patients), and improved home care contacts.
• Establish contact and a continual relationship with the NC Fiscal Intermediary, with the intent to discuss reimbursement issues for the Respiratory Care professionals.
• Communicate with members of Congress, either by letter or in person, on the issue of competency of persons performing Respiratory Care in NC.
• Position Statement on "Competency Requirements for the Provision of Respiratory Therapy Services" was developed by PACT approved by BOD on April 12, 2002.
• A "Capital Day" event was held June 19, 2002. This was a successful event. It so happened to be very timely, in that legislation regarding emergency preparedness was being introduced in the legislature. Originally, respiratory therapists were not included in the definition of health care provided. This was discussed at Capital Day and with key legislators. The wording has now been changed and includes respiratory therapists. Passage of this bill is still pending
• Information and activities were placed on the NCSRC wed site concerning World Asthma Day on May 7.
• Monitor legislative activity. Through the subscription to a service, NC State Watch, bills can be tracked in both the House and Senate. This service was purchased by the NCSRC and has been in use during 2002. So far it has been valuable in tracking the Public Health Bioterrorism Preparedness legislation, and several bills that propose an increase in cigarette tax.
• Conducted a letter writing campaign seeking support for language changes regarding the "inclusion of Respiratory Care services to be provided by Respiratory Therapists" as a covered benefit for Medicare home health services.
• Developed a PACT information and recruitment display.

The PACT continues to welcome new members. If you are interested in helping, please call Tim King at (252) 446-0436 x369 or email kingt@edgecombe.edu to have your name added.

Your current PACT is :