SOAR Act Talking Points

Establish the Meeting Basics 

• Clarify the duration of the meeting. 
• Provide a brief overview of the role of Respiratory Therapists (RTs) and the number of licensed RTs in your state. 
• Discuss your primary role as an RT, how you assist patients and how the the Congress person’s support for this legislation will significantly impact the profession and the well-being of patients nationwide. 

Discuss Organizations in Support 

• List organizations supporting the legislative reform efforts,
  demonstrating broad coalition support for the initiatives.
  The coalition organizations are summarized here. 
• Reference the American Lung Association (ALA) website for data on lung disease prevalence in the state and counties. 

What We Are Asking For 

• Co-Sponsorship of S 1406 or HR 2902 the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act
• Support for the advancement of the bill through committee 
• Support of the request for the Congressional Budget Office to score the bill 
• Help to ensure Medicare patients can access the oxygen therapy they need 

Key Supporting Talking Points 

• More than 1.5 million Americans depend on supplemental oxygen to live independently and safely. Unfortunately, the current Medicare oxygen payment system is outdated and has created serious barriers to access. As a result, some patients become homebound or end up in the hospital unnecessarily.
  

• Patients often cannot obtain: 
  • Portable oxygen systems 
  • Liquid oxygen for higher flow needs 
  • Respiratory therapist support to manage their therapy

• The SOAR Act is bipartisan legislation designed to modernize the Medicare oxygen benefit and restore patient access to appropriate oxygen therapy.
   
• An independent economic analysis conducted by an outside firm estimated the cost impact of the legislation and demonstrated that improving oxygen access can help prevent costly hospitalizations and complications. Better oxygen management often means lower overall Medicare spending in the long run.
   
• When oxygen therapy is properly managed: 
  • Patients breathe easier 
  • Hospitalizations decrease 
  • Patients remain active in their communities 
  • Respiratory therapists are uniquely trained to help patients manage oxygen safely and effectively. 
• The SOAR Act is built around what AARC and patient groups call the Four Pillars of Medicare Oxygen Reform. These reforms ensure oxygen therapy works the way it was intended — helping patients live independently. 

• • Pillar 1 — Oxygen Patient Bill of Rights 
    The bill establishes protections, so patients have access to: 
    • Education about oxygen equipment 
    • Portable oxygen systems 
    • 24-hour service support 
    • Safe and appropriate equipment.
      
  • Pillar 2 — Add on payment for liquid oxygen
    Patients should have access to the oxygen system that meets their clinical needs, including liquid oxygen and high-flow systems. Liquid oxygen is used for the sickest patients and has become almost completely unavailable in the Medicare system.

• • Pillar 3 — Respiratory Therapist Services
    The legislation ensures that respiratory therapists can provide clinical services to oxygen patients, improving safety, education, and disease management.  Many patients who are discharged from the hospital to the home don’t get a visit to be trained and matched to the oxygen equipment.

• • Pillar 4 — Modernized Documentation
    The bill creates a standardized electronic documentation template to simplify Medicare paperwork and reduce unnecessary claim denials.