Havea, along with other members of the American Association for Respiratory Care, met with both of Maine's U.S. Representatives, Mike Michaud and Tom Allen, and with legislative aides for Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.

A registered respiratory therapist since 1989, Havea said Maine's Congressional delegation was supportive of efforts to improve care received by respiratory patients.

Among the issues discussed was the proposed repeal of the 36-month cap for Medicare patients using home oxygen equipment. Havea said the respiratory therapy community opposes the mandatory transfer of ownership of home oxygen equipment to the Medicare beneficiary after 36 months of rental.

The requirement that elderly Medicare beneficiaries must own and manage the complex oxygen equipment required for their therapy places an unfair, unsafe and unrealistic burden on many patients who are medically fragile, Havea said.

Havea also lent her support to the Congressional COPD Caucus, to encourage prevention and early detection of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. It includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and, in some cases, asthma. In the United States, Havea said tobacco use is a key factor in the development of COPD, which is responsible annually for 120,000 deaths and $20 billion in direct medical costs.

Havea also discussed with the Congressional delegation the importance of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehab is a comprehensive intervention for patients with chronic respiratory diseases, and is designed to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for affected patients.