Due to growing public scrutiny of health care and respiratory care, in 1999 the AARC launched a Political Advocacy Contact Team to advocate public policies that will have a positive impact on the respiratory care community. PACT members interact with local, state, and federal government officials on public policies that affect our patients and our profession.

As an advocate for our members, the AARC does more than simply “watchdog” issues. The AARC aggressively advocates for the recognition of the value of respiratory therapy and therapists in all areas of public policy.
Across the country each state has two PACT 
representatives. These PACT representatives coordinate PACT efforts within their state by communicating with state PACT members as significant issues arise.
The AARC's goal is to have two respiratory therapists and one patient contact in each of the 435 Congressional Districts across the country.