Why Ohio needs the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

By Miriam O’Day

This is a lightly edited excerpt of testimony recently provided to the Ohio State Senate’s Health Committee hearing. 

On behalf of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), representing more than 42,000 licensed respiratory care professionals nationwide, I am pleased to submit this testimony in strong support of (Ohio) SB-149, legislation to establish the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC) in Ohio.

RCIC is a forward-looking policy solution that addresses licensure portability while also strengthening patient access to care. As healthcare systems increasingly span state boundaries, Ohio can lead in modernizing licensure and ensuring patients benefit from timely access to highly skilled respiratory therapists.

Why the RCIC?

Timely access to life-saving care

Respiratory therapists manage critical conditions, from ventilator support and non-invasive therapy to emergency airway interventions. The RCIC removes barriers that prevent therapists from crossing state lines quickly, ensuring Ohio patients — particularly in rural areas or during crises — have access to the expertise they need without delay.

Improving chronic and community-based care

Millions of Americans live with COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and other chronic lung conditions. Respiratory therapists provide essential education and disease management that keep patients healthier and reduce hospitalizations. With the RCIC, continuity of care is strengthened, especially for patients who travel or relocate across state lines.

Enhancing neonatal and pediatric outcomes

Ohio families rely on respiratory therapists to provide specialized care for infants and children, including surfactant administration, oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation. The RCIC ensures equitable access to this vital expertise, reducing disparities in outcomes for vulnerable pediatric populations.

Supporting post-acute and home care

Respiratory therapists are increasingly part of home health and post-acute care teams, managing conditions such as sleep apnea and chronic respiratory failure. By simplifying licensure, the RCIC allows for seamless delivery of these services across Ohio’s borders, strengthening the continuum of care.

Broader benefits of the RCIC:

• Public health readiness: Provides a framework for mobilizing respiratory therapists rapidly in emergencies, eliminating delays caused by licensure red tape. 
• Reducing disparities: Expands access to care for underserved and rural Ohio communities that face shortages of respiratory therapists. 
• National alignment: The RCIC is modeled after successful compacts in nursing, physical therapy, and other professions. These have proven effective at expanding workforce mobility without compromising patient safety or state oversight.

The AARC is actively collaborating with the Council of State Governments, National Center for Interstate Compacts, the U.S. Department of Defense and the Ohio Society for Respiratory Care (OSRC) to ensure the RCIC’s successful implementation. Ohio’s leadership in adopting this compact will send a strong signal of commitment to patient-centered, forward-thinking health policy.

Read the full testimony here.

Miriam O’Day is the senior vice president of Government Affairs at the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). 

_{*The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of HealthPlatform.News.}