On Dec. 8, 2020, Rep. Thomas Patton from Strongsville, Ohio, introduced, HB 803, a bill to license the advance practice respiratory therapist in Ohio.
This is the culmination of many months in which the Ohio Society for Respiratory Care (OSRC) completed a series of incremental steps in preparation for the 2021–2022 legislative session of the General Assembly. Although the bill will not move this year and will have to re-introduced in January 2021, it is a major hurdle that can lend itself to prioritization in the new legislative session.
“This is a great accomplishment and the AARC congratulates all the dedicated respiratory therapists and other stakeholders who made this happen,” said Anne Marie Hummel, Associate Executive Director for Advocacy and Government Affairs. She also recognized the yeoman’s job it took in developing a sound process that bodes well for success.
According to Sue Ciarlariello, Chair of the OSRC Legislative Committee, “We held regional meetings, engaged interested parties in summer forums dedicated to the advance practice respiratory therapist, worked with Ohio’s Legislative Service Commission in drafting legislative language and found a legislative sponsor to make the advance practice respiratory therapist licensing language a legitimate piece of legislation by year end. We now plan to continue dialogue with key interested parties as they review and comment on our bill.”
A needs assessment conducted by the AARC and directed at physician specialties who treat individuals with cardioplumonary disease emphasized the importance of an advance practice respiratory therapist as an integral part of the future of respiratory care to meet the demands of physician shortages and an aging population. The AARC supports the addition of this new professional as an ongoing strategy to meet the challenges and everchanging needs of our patients. You can find additional information about the advance practice respiratory therapist, the scope of practice and answers to “Frequently Asked Questions” on the AARC website (Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist — AARC).
Email newsroom@aarc.org with questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you.
Addie Schiefer is the Content Manager for the AARC where she creates engaging content for the association via the AARC website, newsletters, and social media. Connect with her about potential stories by email, AARConnect, or LinkedIn. When she’s not working, you can find her listening to a true crime podcast, traveling to new places with her husband, hanging out with her dog JoJo, or browsing the aisles of the nearest Target.
