Analysis
Sponsor: Representatives Law, Gire, Leland, Griffin, Bodem and Hammerstrom
Topic: Respiratory Therapists
Committee: Health Policy
Position: The Department of Consumer and Industry Services does not support the bill.
Background: Respiratory therapists were included in the list of health professions recently
recognized by the Michigan Do-Not-Resuscitate Procedures Act, Public Act 193 of 1996.
Respiratory therapists were the only health profession recognized by the act which is not licensedby the Public Health Code.
Description of the Bill: The bill amends the 1846 Statute on Statutes to add a definition of
"respiratory therapist". The term is defined as a health professional who practices respiratorycare and meets three requirements:
Has successfully completed an accredited respiratory therapist training program.
Has been awarded at least a 2-year associate's degree from an accredited institution of
higher education.
Has successfully completed the registered respiratory therapist examination administered
by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
The bill also includes a list of legislative findings and a statement of the Legislature's intent to provide minimum standards to serve as guidelines for the practice of respiratory therapy.
Arguments:
Pro: Because respiratory therapists are not included in the Public Health Code
but are recognized by the Do-Not-Resuscitate Act, an amendment to the Statute on Statutes is necessary to define the term.
Con: This is not an appropriate definition for the Statute on Statutes. The other terms definedin this law are words used frequently in Michigan law. The word "respiratory therapist" is used
only once. Also, the definition is fundamentally different in format than other provisions in this law. The definition contains language which would seem to be more appropriate as part of a licensure or registration requirement in the Public Health Code.
This bill defines the term only for purposes of the Do-Not-Resuscitate Act. The definition and minimum standards established in this bill would not apply to the practice of respiratory therapist in any other situation.
Supporters/Opponents: The Michigan Association of Respiratory Therapists supports the
bill.
Fiscal Impact: There will be no fiscal impact.
Administrative Rules Impact: There will be no impact on administrative rules.
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