Ross, Meek Introduce Oxygen Reform Bill

WASHINGTON—Today, Reps. Mike Ross, D-Ark., and Kendrick
Meek, D-Fla., introduced an oxygen reform bill that calls for
sweeping changes in Medicare’s oxygen benefit.
 
Dubbed the Medicare Home Oxygen Therapy Act of 2009 (H.R. 3220),
the bill would eliminate the 36-month cap, exempt home oxygen from
competitive bidding, and recognize the services essential in
providing home oxygen therapy.
 
Provisions in the legislation, which is budget-neutral, would apply
to oxygen services and supplies furnished on or after Jan. 1,
2010.
 
The American Association for Homecare is backing the bill and
worked with Ross and Meek on its development.
 
“The Ross-Meek bill provides an opportunity to help protect
oxygen patients, bring stability to oxygen policy and provide cost
transparency,” said Tyler Wilson, AAHomecare president, in a
release. “We thank Reps. Ross and Meek for championing this
important reform legislation.”
 
The association is urging providers to contact their
representatives to ask for support of the bill. Securing cosponsors
for H.R. 3220 will increase the likelihood that the provisions
would be included in the health care reform package currently under
consideration in the House, AAHomecare said.

To contact your members of Congress, dial the U.S. Capitol
switchboard at 202/224-3121. The operator will connect you directly
to your legislator’s office.