Respiratory organizations reiterate call for support of SOAR Act
By HME News Staff
Updated 10:30 AM CDT, Wed October 2, 2024
WASHINGTON – In honor of World Oxygen Day today, 30 leading patient, provider and professional organizations have united to call on Congress to pass the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform or SOAR Act (S. 3821/H.R. 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 to live full, healthy lives. Among the organizations endorsing this reform are 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. “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 U.S. Our organizations are urging Congress to get this done this year because oxygen is a lifeline, and patients cannot wait,” the groups said in a joint statement. “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.”
-
Here is a link to a recent letter that the groups sent to the Senate in support of the SOAR Act and here is a link to a recent letter sent to the House of Representatives.
Comments