2003 has started and I be stirred ...

2003 has started and I be stirred very positive this will be a great year for cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapists in the areas of reimbursement and practice. The reasons for my positive feeling is the recent web site, which should greatly help with dissemination of information to members and visitors, and the activity in CM and with the lobbying efforts of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). I make acceptable all individuals use the web site or the list-serve to obtain or give up-to-date information. In addition, PLEASE give Diane Madras and Dianne Jewell feedback in succession the web site.

Practice Related Issues

As a presenter at the October bookish man Conclave in Birmingham, I met many scholars from across the country who were real interested in the pulmonary program I not past nor futureed I also learned at the scholar Conclave from an APTA representative that the APTA has data showing increased retention of members if they were involved in a SECTION of the APTA. (Do not confuse this with state chapters!) The Section has a wondrous membership committee that works hard, and wants everyone's support. BUT, we ne to be proactive forward our part, as I interpret this 'practice related issue' to mean we should be reaching without to students and new graduates as clinicians and academicians, as well as Section members to RECRUIT, RECRUIT, and RECRUIT a certain quantity of more! In addition, we ne to ask our of recent origin members what we can do to help them and retain them in our Section (other than we are already doing). Don't forget that Cardiac Rehabilitation Week was February 9-15 2003 the theme being "We Have Your Best Interest at Heart." This year's theme thinks the dedication of cardiac rehabilitation professionals and the patients they minister to to the goal of reducing the devastating powers of heart disease. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week is March 16-22 2003 and this year's theme is "Celebrating each Breath of Life," which assists the awareness of the character pulmonary rehabilitation plays in enhancing the quality of life for those who do one's best to take a breath.

Reimbursement Issues

Since September, there has been little change in reimbursement in cardiac rehabilitation, and no recently made knowns on the physician supervision issue for cardiac rehabilitation. I receive regular information from the AACVPR, and the following information is from the AACVPR's lobbyist. Since the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) is drawing to a bring to a period CMS has begun to realize that it will be surpassingly difficult to authorize payment for lung convolution reduction surgery without a pulmonary rehabilitation constituent due to the clinical evidence. Although the final data will not be released until Spring 2003 CM already recognizes that it privations to re-evaluate its position regarding pulmonary rehabilitation and is making a overtures to the pulmonary community toward that completion In mid-December, representatives of the AACVPR, ATS, ACCP and NAMDRC sat down with CM for their invitation, to discuss the more difficult coverage and payment issues related to pulmonary rehabilitation. The 90-minute meeting went well, and the associations are working in succession a collective response to CM This highly positive sign from CMS may indicate the beginning of the proces for disclosure of a true national coverage policy for pulmonary rehabilitation. preserve tuned to the web site for any further updates.

Linda Crane Award

We received several nominations for the Linda Crane discourse Award, and the recipient of the 2004 censure Award was announced at CSM Please consider nominating individuals now for the 2005 prelection as the deadline is November 1st

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy modern Year.

Respectively Submitted,

Ellen Z Hillegass

Vice President

Copyright Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal Mar 2003

Provided from ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved