Healthcare organizations are urging Congress to pass the SOAR Act to ensure Medicare patients have access to the supplemental oxygen they need for improved health and mobility.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- The SOAR Act advocates for better oxygen access: The Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act aims to ensure Medicare beneficiaries can access the appropriate type and level of supplemental oxygen required for their health and mobility.
- 30 organizations support the legislation: Leading health organizations, including the American Lung Association and American Thoracic Society, are calling on Congress to pass the SOAR Act to improve the quality of life for patients relying on supplemental oxygen.
- Supplemental oxygen enhances quality of life: For patients with conditions like COPD, heart disease, and pulmonary fibrosis, access to proper oxygen therapy improves survival, reduces symptoms, and increases mobility.
In honor of World Oxygen Day on Oct 2, 30 leading patient, provider, and professional organizations united to call on Congress to pass the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform or SOAR Act (S 3821/HR 7829).
This legislation seeks to ensure that individuals enrolled in Medicare who rely on supplemental oxygen can access the proper type and level of oxygen they need.
Among the organizations endorsing this reform are the American Association for Respiratory Care, American College of Chest Physicians, American Lung Association, American Thoracic Society, COPD Foundation, Council for Quality Respiratory Care, and Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.
‘Urging Congress to Get This Done This Year’
On World Oxygen Day, the groups listed below released this statement to emphasize the vital role supplemental oxygen plays in sustaining life and enhancing health:
“World Oxygen Day is an important time to shine a light on the challenges that many people who depend on supplemental oxygen face every day, and underscore the urgent need for oxygen reform in the US. Our organizations are urging Congress to get this done this year because oxygen is a lifeline, and patients cannot wait. Many of our constituents—particularly those on Medicare—are homebound due to not having access to the appropriate supplemental oxygen equipment and services. When passed, the SOAR Act would result in people being able to get out of the house to run errands, attend social events, go to work, and spend time with family.
“This legislation is vital to the health and well-being of patients with COPD, heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, those awaiting lung transplants, and others with advanced respiratory conditions. Supplemental oxygen can improve survival, reduce symptoms like shortness of breath, and increase physical activity. Stabilizing the Medicare market would also strengthen access for all people requiring supplemental oxygen.
“As we observe World Oxygen Day, our organizations are urging Congress to act swiftly to pass the SOAR Act this year, ensuring that millions of people in the U.S. can have the freedom to live healthier, fuller lives untethered from their homes.”
The groups also recently sent letters to the US Senate and the US House of Representatives to request cosponsorship of the bipartisan legislation.
