Blowin' in the Wind

My grandpa passed away last week from emphysema that he had been battling for over 20 years. In light of this, I have been reading a lot on the Internet and found out that in 2000 Medicare and Medicaid stopped covering pulmonary and cardiac rehab and it makes me mad, as so many things do. There is a bill going through Congress right now that can change this...I just emailed my Senators/Representatives, and I was hoping you all would also do this. I even included a little form letter for you, so it will take like one minute. Please do this!!

1. Go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/
2. Enter your Zip Code and click on "GO".
3. Click on "Federal" in the top box.
4. Click once to remove the checkmark in front of "George W. Bush, President".
5. As your subject, paste in: S. 329/H.R. 552 "Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Act of 2007"
6. As your Issue area, select "Medicare/medicaid" in the dropdown menu
7. As your message, type in your own, or paste in the following:
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I am asking that you cosponsor S. 329/ H.R. 552 "Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Act of 2007".

I have seen the millions of US citizens suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and believe the government should do what they can to help with this. COPD is comprised of emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis - diseases for which there are currently no cures. However, there is a treatment program (commonly called pulmonary rehabilitation) that can slow their progression, restore functionality and quality of life, and minimize the number, length, and cost of hospitalizations and emergency room visits that inevitably occur without that program.

Many major medical associations vigorously endorse it; most private medical insurers provide coverage for it. And, for many years prior to August 2000 Medicare also covered this program. In fact, in defining current best practice for the NETT study (the combined Medicare/NIH study of lung volume reduction surgery), Medicare mandated it as an essential part of the treatment for all patients in the study, whether or not they received the surgery.

However, in August 2000 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) discontinued full coverage except for the NETT study. Although they did not question the medical value of the program at that time, they concluded that it could not be covered by Medicare because they believed it lacked clear statutory authorization - that is, unlike certain other preventive medical services, coverage for this (partially) preventive service is not specifically authorized in the Medicare enabling statute (Title XVIII of the Social Security Act). Since that time, they have covered only selected parts of the program, with even those parts varying across the country according to the many local Medical Review Policies.

Your support will help to promptly restore full and uniform access to pulmonary rehabilitation for all medically qualified Medicare beneficiaries. Amending Title XVIII of the Social Security Act will make it clear that it is Congress’ intent to cover this program.
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8. Fill in the blanks with the information about yourself.
9. Enter the "Capwiz Authentication" numbers as requested.
10. Click on the "Send Message" button.


If you do choose to help, please just leave a comment and let me know that you've done it, as the online support group my grandfather started (www.emphysema.net) is keeping track of how many people do this who are referred through them. I would appreciate it so much!!




My grandpa, PawPaw, in the picture with my aunt & Loni Anderson, was easily the most amazing person I have ever met or known. He was diagnosed with emphysema I believe in 1986. He was not one to feel sorry for himself, so he dealt with his problem for a long time, and when the Internet became the huge phenomenon it now is he joined message boards online to connect with other COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) sufferers.

After a while, he decided to start his own, EFFORTS (Emphysema Foundation for Our Right to Survive). It is an online support group for people with COPD, as well as their families, caregivers, doctors, or anybody else who just wants to learn. The website has a ton of information, but the main part of it is an e-mail list where everyone shares their stories and experiences to help other people who are going through the same thing. This group is now the largest of its kind, with nearly 2700 members from 20 countries around the world, and thanks to my PawPaw & a core group of people's efforts, they have hosted rallies at Washington D.C., created 'breathing rooms' at many hospitals in the U.S., and many other wonderful things.

Besides that, he was just a wonderful person. He started his own company, Aid to Shippers, over 20 years ago. He was ambitious and always wanted to do right. He was a Marine during the Korean War. He had a wonderful, if bizarre, sense of humor - one that I was lucky enough to inherit, as well as his poor eyesight. Thanks, PawPaw! Seriously though, I don't have a single negative memory of him and I have SO many positive ones. I hope that someday I can do as much with my life as he did with his. It was a life well lived, and ended peacefully at home just like he wanted it to. He far outlived everyone's expectations, and for that I am thankful. Nonetheless, I will miss him terribly. I do look forward, however, to watching his legacy continue. Rest in peace, Paw Paw. Breathe well and tell Grandma hello for me!