World Oxygen Day Underscores Urgent Need for Life-Changing Oxygen Reform
October 2, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC – In honor of World Oxygen Day (October 2), 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 pivotal 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 critical 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. On this World Oxygen Day, these groups 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 U.S. Our organizations are urging Congress to get this done this year. 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.”
Read a letter sent to the U.S. Senate »
Read a letter sent to the U.S. House of Representatives »
Members who want to help improve access to supplemental oxygen are encouraged to contact their local representatives to make them aware of SOAR Act.
About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy, and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer, to champion clean air for all, to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families, and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872), or visit Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events. Learn more about the need for oxygen reform in our recent blog post here: Why We Urgently Need Supplemental Oxygen Reform | American Lung Association.
About the American College of Chest Physicians
The American College of Chest Physicians® (CHEST) is the global leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases. Its mission is to champion advanced clinical practice, education, communication, and research in chest medicine. It serves as an essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 22,000+ members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. For information about the American College of Chest Physicians and its family of journals, including the flagship journal CHEST®, visit chestnet.org.
About the AARC
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), founded in 1947, is the nation’s oldest and largest professional association dedicated to respiratory therapists and health care providers involved in cardiopulmonary care. The AARC strengthens the profession, providing excellence in leadership and education; advancing the art and science of respiratory therapy; and advocating for respiratory therapists, their patients, and caregivers. Fostering a diverse and inclusive membership community worldwide, AARC is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Irving, TX. Learn more about us at www.aarc.org.
About the CQRC
The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) is a coalition of the nation’s leading home oxygen therapy provider and manufacturing companies providing in-home patient services and respiratory equipment, including liquid oxygen, oxygen concentrators, and sleep therapy devices, to Medicare beneficiaries who rely upon home oxygen therapy to maintain their independence and enhance their quality of life. Learn more at cqrc.org.
About the COPD Foundation
The COPD Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help millions of people live longer and healthier lives by advancing research, advocacy, and awareness to stop COPD, bronchiectasis, and nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. The foundation does this through scientific research, education, advocacy, and awareness to prevent disease, slow progression, and find a cure. For more information, visit copdfoundation.org, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
The mission of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is to accelerate the development of new treatments and ultimately a cure for pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Until this goal is achieved, the PFF is committed to advancing improved care of patients with PF and providing unequaled support and education resources for patients, caregivers, family members, and health care providers. Learn more at pulmonaryfibrosis.org.