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Welcome to the PSRC Governmental Affairs webpage! This is the page where everything related to federal and state legislative and regulatory activities involving respiratory therapists and the patients we serve is posted. Because activity is ongoing, please check this page on a regular basis for updates and the latest information. If you'd like to get involved and help fight for RTs and the patients we serve, email the PSRC's Governmental Committee Chair (Garry Kauffman) at 2011GovernmentalChair@psrc.net
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PSRC Letters To State & Federal Legislators
The PSRC Board of Directors has sent multiple letters to state and federal legislators in 2011 on multiple issues that affect our patients, our profession and the public health in general. Click on the links below to view the letters.
June 6, 2011 - Letter to PA Auditor General Jack Wagner commending his work in issuing two special reports on the use, or misuse, of payments from the Tobacco Setllement Fund.
April 26, 2011 - Letter to PA Senate leadership commending them on their support of Senate Bill 5 which would establish a Community Based Health Care (CHC) Program in the Department of Health and provide for hospital health clinics.
April 5, 2011 - Letter to PA Representative Matthew Baker, Chairman of the House Health Committee, supporting House Bill 1254 which would prohibit purchasing tobacco products or parhernalia with an electronic benefits transfer card or debit card issued by the Department of Public Welfare.
March 29, 2011 - Letter to PA Governer Tom Corbett urging proper use of the Tobacco Settlement Fund. A large percentage of the money in this fund has been diverted to non-health related uses over the past several years and this action may continue with the new budget unless something changes.
March 9, 2011 - Letter to US Senator Robert P. Casey Jr. supporting the Environmental Protection Agency's new clean air standards.
February 16, 2011 - Letter to State Senator Patricia Vance supporting Senate Bill 35 which seeks to eliminate the exemptions in the Clean Indoor Air Act. Senator Vance chairs a committee to which the legislation was referred for further consideration.
February 8, 2011 - Letter to State Representative Curt Schroder supporting his sponsorship of House Bill 412 which would amend the Clean Indoor Air Act to remove the availability to smoke on 25% of the gaming floor at a casino.
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New Law Licenses Respiratory Therapists!
Continuing education requirement and other changes included in law.
On July 4, 2008, Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell signed legislation that incorporates several changes to the law governing Respiratory Therapists in the state.
CLICK HERE for all of the latest information on this new law and what it means to YOU!
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Are
You Totally Lost When It Comes
To The U.S. Government System?
Here's the "Cliff Notes" on how things work...
The government in our country, both at the federal and state levels, is broken down into the House of Representatives and the Senate. Every one of us is represented by elected officials in all of these four governmental bodies (Federal House of Representatives, Federal Senate, State House of Representatives, and State Senate). These elected officials represent us and are responsible for creating and changing the federal and state laws that govern our us all.
Do you know YOUR state and federal legislators? Most people may recognize their legislator's names but have no idea who they are and what they do in government. However, this is the MOST important thing to know and it's easy information to obtain. Simply click here and enter your zip code on the left side of the page that appears (under "My Elected Officials"). Once you press GO, the names of your representatives will appear. In addition, you'll note additional information following each legislator's name that includes their political party (D for Democratic; R for Republican). Members of the House of Representatives also have a number that represents the district (or geographical area) that they represent.
Find out who your representatives are and write it down!
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