The Alpha-1 Foundation (A1F) joins 30 organizations requesting Congress to cosponsor bipartisan legislation A.1406/H.R.2902, the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act, ensuring the individuals, like lung affected Alphas, can access the oxygen treatment and services they need to live healthy and more full lives.
Dear Senator/Representative:
We are writing as a group of more than 30 patient, healthcare professional, and industry organizations to request that you cosponsor bipartisan legislation S.1406/H.R. 2902, the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act, sponsored by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Representative David Valadao (R-CA), Representative Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE). More than 1.5 million people living with chronic lung and heart diseases in the U.S. face significant challenges in accessing supplemental oxygen. The SOAR Act is critical to ensuring these individuals can access the oxygen treatment and services they need to live healthy and more full lives. Since 2011, supplemental oxygen has been part of Medicare’s DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program, resulting in significant decreases in payments for oxygen equipment and supplies. While this has produced Medicare savings, it has also led to unacceptable barriers for patients who need medically necessary oxygen equipment, supplies, and services.
Supplemental oxygen can be delivered in several forms; however, people with the most significant oxygen needs cannot use small, portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) because they do not provide high flow rates. Instead, these individuals must rely on heavy, bulky tanks of compressed, gaseous oxygen that may provide only a few hours of oxygen at a time. Liquid oxygen, which offers a continuous, high-liter flow of oxygen and is portable, is a viable alternative. However, due to the inadequate reimbursement rates – suppliers have been unable to continue providing liquid oxygen widely, leaving patients with few viable options. Without access to appropriate supplemental oxygen, patients are at higher risk for worsening health, avoidable emergency room visits, hospitalizations and the devastating prospect of being homebound.
The SOAR Act addresses these challenges by making supplemental oxygen patient-centric, moving away from “home” oxygen to “supplemental oxygen”. The bill would remove all oxygen services and equipment from the competitive bidding reimbursement system and create a new reimbursement system for this benefit based on current payment rates so that people can access the appropriate modality of oxygen. Additionally, the SOAR Act would also ensure patients have access to respiratory therapist services through their oxygen supplier. It would also establish national standardized documentation requirements that rely upon a template rather than prescriber medical records to support claims for supplemental oxygen suppliers to ensure predictable and adequate reimbursement and to protect against fraud and abuse.
The SOAR Act prioritizes patient safety and protects the system from fraud, waste and abuse. The safeguards included in the SOAR Act reinforce its focus on accountability while ensuring that patients receive the care they deserve. By passing the SOAR Act, Congress can help the more than 1.5 million individuals living with COPD, heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, people awaiting lung transplants and other advanced chronic respiratory diseases who rely on supplemental oxygen live independently and healthily. This bill also addresses challenges faced by low-income and rural and medically underserved people who currently struggle to secure adequate care.
Supplemental oxygen is a lifeline for so many people – decreasing mortality, reducing shortness of breath, and increasing exercise capacity. No one should struggle to access the oxygen modality that works best for their medical needs and lifestyle, and no one should suffer the pain and fear of struggling to breathe.We request that you cosponsor the SOAR Act (S.1406/H.R.2902) and urge the legislation be passed in 2025.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.
Sincerely,
Allergy & Asthma Network
Alpha-1 Foundation
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
American Association for Homecare
American Association for Respiratory Care
American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST)
American Lung Association
American Physical Therapy Association
American Thoracic Society
APTA Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy
ARDS Alliance
Children’s Interstitial and Diffuse Lung Disease (chILD) Foundation
COPD Foundation
Council for Quality Respiratory Care
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute
Dorney-Koppel Foundation
Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research
National Scleroderma Foundation
NTM Info & Research, Inc.
Patients Rising
PF Warriors
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
Pulmonary Hypertension Association
Respiratory Health Association
Running On Air
The PAP Foundation
TSC Alliance
VGM Government Relations
Wescoe Foundation for Pulmonary Fibrosis
