RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS - H.B. 4647 (H-3): COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bill 4647 (Substitute H-3 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Stephen Ehardt
House Committee: Health Policy
Senate Committee: Health Policy
Date Completed: 11-5-01
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Public Health Code to do the following:
-- Require an individual who wished to be a respiratory therapist to register as a respiratory therapist, and establish requirements for registration.
-- Prohibit individuals from using the term "respiratory therapist" (or "R.T.") or respiratory care practitioner (or "R.C.P.") unless registered as a respiratory therapist.
-- Require an application processing fee of $20, and a registration fee of $75 per year, for an individual registered or seeking registration as a respiratory therapist.
-- Create the Board of Respiratory Care and prescribe its responsibilities.
The bill specifies that it would not require new or additional third party reimbursement or mandated workers' compensation benefits for services rendered by an individual registered as a respiratory therapist.
The bill provides that a "respiratory therapist" would be an individual who was responsible for providing patient care services under the prescription of a physician to individuals with disorders and diseases of the cardiopulmonary system, including life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and who was registered under the bill as a respiratory therapist.
An individual could not use the title "respiratory therapist", "respiratory care practitioner", "R.T.", or "R.C.P.", or similar words indicating that he or she was a respiratory therapist, unless the individual was registered as a respiratory therapist, after the effective date of rules promulgated by the Board of Respiratory Care.
The bill would create the Michigan Board of Respiratory Care in the Department of Consumer and Industry Services. The Board would consist of seven members: one medical director; two public members; and four individuals who met the requirements of Section 16135 of the Code. (Section 16135 provides that a member of a health occupations board must be a State resident for at least the six months before appointment; be of good moral character; be at least 18 years old; be licensed or registered in Michigan where licensure or registration in a health profession is a requirement for membership; and have actively practiced the profession or taught in an approved educational institution that prepares applicants for the profession.)
The Board would have to require all of the following, in establishing criteria for registration:
-- Successful completion of an accredited respiratory therapist training program approved by the Board.
-- At least a two-year Associate's degree from an accredited college or university approved by the Board.
-- The credential conferred by the National Board for Respiratory Care or its successor organization as a respiratory therapist or its successor credential, as approved by the Board.
The Board would have to prescribe by rule continuing education requirements as a condition for registration renewal, including appropriate courses in pain and symptom management.
Under the bill, a "medical director" would be a physician who was responsible for the quality, safety, appropriateness, and effectiveness of the respiratory care provided by a respiratory therapist, who assisted in quality monitoring, protocol development, and competency validation, and who met all of the following:
-- Was the medical director of an inpatient or outpatient respiratory care service or department within a health facility, or of a home care agency, durable medical equipment company, or educational program.
-- Had special interest and knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiopulmonary disorders and diseases.
-- Was qualified by training or experience, or both, in the management of acute and chronic cardiopulmonary disorders and diseases.
MCL 333.16131 et al. - Legislative Analyst: G. Towne
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would create a new category of registration under the Public Health Code for respiratory therapists and the creation of a Board. The bill proposes a $20 application fee and a $75 annual registration fee. These fees would generate revenue which would be used to cover the costs of administering this program. The bill could require up to two additional FTEs to administer this program.
- Fiscal Analyst: M. TyszkiewiczS0102\s4647sa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.