For the nearly 1.5 million Americans with lung disease, access to liquid oxygen can be dramatically affected by underfunded supply providers, putting lives on the line.
Lisa Weisenberger
Director, Content and Communications, American Association of Respiratory Care
Gary Nelson from Colorado was forced to switch from carrying a manageable 15-pound oxygen backpack for his supplemental oxygen to a bulky 26-pound two-tank system when his supplier opted for cheaper equipment, significantly affecting his life.
“Most people don’t even worry about breathing, but when you have a lung disease, it’s part of your everyday,” he said. Needing daily exercise to help manage his COPD caused by Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), a rare genetic disorder, Nelson noted that the real threat of his oxygen running out “discourages my efforts to walk distances to build endurance and improve my health.”
Nelson isn’t alone. Nearly 1.5 million Americans have lung disease, and for the sickest of patients, liquid oxygen is critical to their survival.
In collaboration with more than 40 other organizations, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and its 40,000 respiratory therapist (RT) members are working toward a solution with the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act. Co-sponsored by more than 50 Representatives and Senators, but still awaiting passage, this bipartisan legislation aims to fix a broken system.
The RT shortage and the reimbursement gap
The core issue the legislation hopes to solve is a disconnect between clinical need and financial policy. According to AARC President Dana Evans; MHA, RRT, RRT-NPS, FACHE, FAARC, FNAP, “The SOAR Act modernizes reimbursement and, for the first time, covers in-home visits by licensed respiratory therapists, so patients get equipment and care that truly fits their needs and improves quality of life.”
In a clinical setting, respiratory therapists (RTs) are the breathing experts for all types of patients, from premature babies to seniors. In a home setting, they ensure a patient knows how to use life-saving equipment. However, Medicare currently does not cover these vital home visits. This lack of funding has contributed to a shortage of accessible RT services, leaving patients to troubleshoot complex medical devices and in some cases cause undue harm.
How the SOAR Act changes the narrative
The SOAR Act addresses these flaws through:
- Boosting rural access: By permanently removing oxygen from the Medicare competitive bidding process, the bill ensures suppliers can afford to operate in hard-to-reach areas.
- Reimbursement for RT home visits: This isn’t just a luxury — it’s a safety measure. In-home training significantly reduces the number of new users visiting the emergency department in their first month.
- Ending the payment cap: By paying based on clinical need, suppliers are incentivized to provide liquid oxygen systems, allowing patients to stay active and engaged without a heavy tank.
Now is the time for action
RTs are already positioned to support these patients, they just need the legislative clearing to do what they do best. “It’s so important for the people who make these reimbursement decisions to understand the day-to-day difficulties of not having enough oxygen and the stress and strain it causes, lifting and moving with heavy tanks,” Nelson said. Learn more and get involved in the fight for lung health.
