CMS’ proposed rules on the 2011 update to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) are on display at the Federal Register and are expected to be published August 3, 2010. A quick glance at the rules indicate several provisions that may be, or are of interest to our members. A thorough analysis and review will be ongoing. Comments are due to CMS by August 31, 2010.

Here's our latest list of newsmakers -

Program Director Jamy Chulak and his students at Valencia Community College in Orlando represented the AARC and respiratory care profession at the annual HOSA convention. The Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) is a highly participatory, active student organization in high schools across the country.

A deceptive promotion issued by Ford Health International has continued despite assurances by the company that they would correct information on their website.

In a June AARC News story we let you know that the AARC sent a letter to all state Medicaid Directors urging their programs to adopt the Association’s position statement on Delivery of Respiratory Therapy Services in Skilled Nursing Facilities Providing Ventilator and/or High Acuity Respiratory Care.

Respiratory therapists throughout the state of Hawaii marked a major milestone Monday afternoon, as Governor Linda Lingle signed their hard-fought-for licensure act into law.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today its proposed payment policies under the physician fee schedule and other revisions to Part B for CY 2011. Of particular interest are proposed changes to the payment rates for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) services. This is is very positive news as there were many concerns that the payment rate was too low.

AARC member Col. William Bernhard, MD, has seen a lot during his many years of military service, which began 60 years ago and is still going strong today.

We’re featuring this neat story over on our consumer website, YourLungHealth.org. Click over now to read all about two young sisters with cystic fibrosis who just performed on America’s Got Talent, proving everyone who said they’d never to be able to sing wrong.