News
HEALTH CARE STAKEHOLDERS URGE SUPPORT OF SOAR ACT
More than 30 patient, health care professional and industry organizations have signed a letter urging lawmakers to cosponsor the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act, which would remove supplemental oxygen from the competitive bidding program. “Since 2011, supplemental oxygen has been part of Medicare’s DMEPOS competitive bidding program, resulting in significant decreases in payments for oxygen…
Bills Addressing Overtime Wage, Oxygen Access Concerns Draw Home Care’s Support
Home care stakeholders are rallying behind two pieces of legislation that aim to improve access to key services for individuals aging in place. The Ensuring Access to Affordable and Quality Home Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act, HR 2304, would undo a 2013 Department of Labor rule narrowing the scope of home care workers…
BILL INTRODUCED TO ‘MAINTAIN AND STABILIZE’ OXYGEN REIMBURSEMENT
The Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act, which would remove supplemental oxygen from Medicare’s competitive bidding program, has been reintroduced in the Senate and House of Representatives, the Council for Quality Respiratory Care has announced. The bill would remove supplemental oxygen from the bid program to establish separate payment rates for non-liquid and liquid oxygen, reflecting the…
Supplemental Oxygen Providers & Suppliers Commend Reintroduction of the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act in U.S. Congress
The bipartisan legislation improves patient access to oxygen modalities, while strengthening Medicare fraud and abuse protections to improve respiratory care WASHINGTON, DC –– The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) – a coalition of the nation’s leading home respiratory therapy providers and manufacturing companies – today applauds the reintroduction of the bipartisan Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform…
National Health and Advocacy Organizations Call on Congress to Include Life-Changing Oxygen Reform in End-of-Year Package
WASHINGTON, DC – (December 12, 2025) – Today, 27 leading patient, provider, and professional organizations sent a letter to Congress to include the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (H.R. 2902/S.1406) in an end-of-year legislative package. The bipartisan legislation would ensure that Medicare beneficiaries who need supplemental oxygen can access the correct type and levels of oxygen needed to live independent…
CQRC Commends CMS for Locking in Existing Savings for Supplemental Oxygen and CPAP Devices by Excluding Them from Next Round of Competitive Bidding
Supplemental oxygen leaders urge Congress to pass the bipartisan Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act to address outstanding patient access barriers WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) commends the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for not including supplemental oxygen and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices and supplies in the next round of Medicare’s Competitive…
Advocates Ask Congress to Prioritize Medicare Oxygen Modernization in Honor of National COPD Awareness Month
Supplemental oxygen leaders encourage lawmakers to advance SOAR Act to remove barriers to care for patients living with complex respiratory disease, including COPD. WASHINGTON – In recognition of National COPD Awareness Month, the Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) is urging lawmakers in Congress to support comprehensive Medicare supplemental oxygen reform to stabilize the Medicare benefit…
CQRC Commends W&M Health Subcommittee Leaders for Chronic Disease Care Hearing, Underscoring Need for Medicare Oxygen Modernization
In a letter to the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee, the CQRC applauds the Health Subcommittee’s focus on chronic disease management and urges passing the bipartisan SOAR Act. WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) today sent a letter to the U.S. House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Vernon Buchanan and Ranking Member Lloyd…