AACVPR and its Affiliates are pursuing multiple strategies both nationally and regionally to enhance third-party payment for cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation and prevention services. Reimbursement Updates are sent via email to all members approximately once a month. To learn more about the benefits of AACVPR Membership please see our membership section. Also, please help us keep the membership informed by sending any information that you have about reimbursement in your region to the AACVPR office via email to aacvpr@aacvpr.org.

GRASS ROOTS CAMPAIGN

NOW IS THE TIME TO LAUNCH A PATIENT CAMPAIGN!

We need our patients to help carry this urgent message for support to our Congressional representatives. Please consider implementing one of these three ways to involve your patients. They have the most to lose if our legislation to secure the future of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation does not get the number of sponsors it needs to pass.

1. Patient Letter: Personal letter from each patient can be faxed or emailed (from your program site if possible).

2. Patient calling campaign: Follow the link to instructions on how to ask your patients to make three simple phone calls (two Senators and District House of Representative member) to voice their support for these bills.

3. Petition: Ask all your rehab patients to sign this petition. When you’ve compiled names and addresses, fax it to the congressional member’s DC Office.

Time is of the essence! We need to show a majority of support for HR 552/S 329 in order for this legislation to be included in the next Medicare bill that goes before Congress.

It is URGENT that you TAKE ACTION NOW to assure Medicare coverage of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation! This may be both your last chance and most opportune time to help secure the future of cardiac and pulmonary rehab for three critical reasons: CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

HOW TO CONTACT SENATORS & REPRESENTATIVES

Important Next Steps for Everyone!

"Beneficiary Access " (Generic Version)

• Customizing Instructions

Grass Roots Advocacy Strategies

Basic Script for contact with congressional staff

Talking Points

Phil Porte's Powerpoint Presentation

Link to Identification of and Contact Information for your Senator/Representative
If you are not sure of the mailing address/fax/e-mail of your Senators/Representatives, here are important links:

Senate information

House Information (At this link you can easily find your Representative by zip code/address)

Link to Co-sponsorship to date of S 329:
To determine if your Senator is already a co-sponsor of S 329, Click here

Link to Co-sponsorship to date of HR 552:
To determine if your Representative is a co-sponsor of HR 552, Click here

Instructions for contacting your Senator/Representative
We recommend that AACVPR members now write to all of their Senators to urge co-sponsorship of S 329 and similar letters to members of the House of Representatives urging them to co-sponsor HR 552. Please do not send letters via regular mail – send only faxes or emails.
If co-sponsorship is indicated, we encourage writing a thank you note for their support.

Sample Letter
Sample letters are posted for you to personalize. Identifying problems in your state/district are always helpful. Keep it brief and succinct, especially if you send a fax.

Sample letter to Senator

Sample letter to Representative

WHY LEGISLATION IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO CARDIAC REHABILITATION AND PULMONARY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS

CURRENT BACKGROUND INFORMATION TO DATE

AACVPR Cardiac and Pulmonary Issue Paper

Fast Facts: Resource Pages for Cardiac Rehabilitation

Fast Facts: Resource Pages for Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Estimated Prevalence and Incidence of Lung Disease in the Country

Estimated Prevalence and Incidence of Heart Disease in the Country

Legislative Language for S329

Legislative Language for HR 552

Cost Effectiveness & Efficacy Studies
References supplied by Murray Low, EdD