On June 4, 2024, a coalition of 30 leading patient, provider, and professional organizations urged Congress to support the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (S. 3821/H.R. 7829). The legislation aims to ensure that Medicare enrollees who require supplemental oxygen can access the appropriate type and levels needed for a full and active life.
The organizations involved include the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), American Lung Association, American Thoracic Society, COPD Foundation, Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC), and Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. In a joint statement, they emphasized the critical nature of the SOAR Act:
"The Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform or SOAR Act is critical to the lives of more than 1.5 million people in the U.S. facing serious health risks because they do not currently have access to the appropriate supplemental oxygen equipment and services."
They further explained that individuals with advanced lung or heart diseases often need supplemental oxygen to maintain proper organ function. However, many face challenges in obtaining the correct type and levels of oxygen through Medicare.
"The SOAR Act would remove all oxygen services and equipment from the competitive bidding reimbursement system and create a new reimbursement system to ensure everyone who needs supplemental oxygen can get the proper kind and amount for living a full life," their statement continued.
The proposed act includes provisions for ensuring access to liquid oxygen when medically necessary, enabling access to respiratory therapy services, establishing an oxygen users' bill of rights, and creating standardized documentation requirements.
The coalition underscored the potential benefits: "The SOAR Act would bring significant health and well-being benefits to individuals living with COPD, heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, people awaiting lung transplants, and other advanced respiratory diseases who rely on supplemental oxygen."
In conclusion, they called on Congress to act swiftly: "Everyone deserves the opportunity to live a full and healthy life, so our organizations urge members of Congress to cosponsor and support the SOAR Act and quickly pass this legislation in 2024."
For more information about these organizations:
- The American Lung Association focuses on improving lung health through education, advocacy, and research.
- The American College of Chest Physicians champions advanced clinical practice in chest medicine.
- The AARC advocates for respiratory therapists and advances respiratory therapy science.
- The CQRC provides home oxygen therapy services.
- The COPD Foundation works towards preventing COPD progression through research and awareness.
- The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation aims at developing treatments for pulmonary fibrosis.
