AARC Advocates Bring Respiratory Care Priorities to Capitol Hill

This week, nearly 100 respiratory therapists, patients, state society leaders, and AARC executive staff traveled to Washington, D.C., for the AARC’s annual Respiratory Care Fly-In to meet with members of Congress and their staff and advocate for policies that improve access to care for patients across the country.

A primary focus of this year’s advocacy effort was the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (H.R. 2902 / S. 1406), bipartisan legislation designed to improve access to medically necessary supplemental oxygen for individuals living with COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, heart disease, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, and other chronic respiratory conditions. The legislation would help ensure patients have access to the oxygen systems that best meet their clinical needs, including liquid oxygen, allowing them to remain active, independent, and healthier in their communities.

Advocates also educated Congressional offices about the newly proposed Access to Improved Respiratory Care (AIR) Act, legislation that would improve Medicare beneficiary access to evidence-based preventive respiratory services by authorizing qualified respiratory therapists to furnish and bill Medicare for tobacco cessation counseling services already covered under Medicare Part B. The legislation focuses on reducing preventable exacerbations, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations associated with chronic respiratory disease.

Together, the SOAR Act and AIR Act represent a comprehensive approach to improving respiratory health—ensuring patients have access to both the respiratory care services and oxygen therapies they need to achieve better outcomes and quality of life.

As a result of the Fly-In and the dedicated efforts of respiratory care advocates, several members of Congress agreed to support the SOAR Act by becoming co-sponsors, including:

• Gregory F. Murphy (R-NC)
• Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA)
• Tim Moore (R-NC)
• John B. Larson (D-CT)
• Chuck Edwards (R-NC)
• Roger Marshall (R-KS)

The AARC extends its sincere appreciation to every advocate who participated in this year’s Fly-In. Their voices, personal stories, and professional expertise continue to elevate the importance of respiratory health policy and help advance legislation that improves the lives of millions of Americans living with chronic lung disease.

Is your representative on the SOAR Act co-sponsor list? If not, reach out today to ask for their support!