Tag: Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act (SOAR)
SOAR Act surpasses 50 sign-ons
May 13, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – More than 13 leading respiratory patient, physician and provider organizations applaud the now more than 50 co-sponsors for the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (H.R. 2902/S.1406), according to the Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC). The SOAR Act would modernize Medicare’s oxygen benefit, improve access to respiratory therapists, and strengthen patient protections – helping reduce avoidable hospitalizations and allowing people to remain active...
Mobility is the default setting in home oxygen
February 17, 2026Tracy Orzel
Home respiratory is a cornerstone of the HME industry, but manufacturers and providers are redefining what success in the market looks like: Oxygen therapy that keeps pace with patients, durable equipment for everyday demands, and service models that protect margins.
“Since COVID, we have seen rapid adoption of portable oxygen concentrators (POC) as patients, clinicians and providers increasingly choose POCs over legacy modalities like tanks...
CQRC sees momentum on SOAR Act as engagement deepens
February 6, 2026Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) is confident that it can work with lawmakers and regulators on its top priorities for 2026, including passage of the SOAR Act, says Chair Robin Menchen, who is also president and CEO of Rotech Healthcare.
SOAR Act gains traction
The legislation, introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in April 2025, currently has 40 and four co-sponsors,...
CQRC adds its voice to hearing on chronic disease management
November 24, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) sent a letter to the U.S. House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Vernon Buchanan and Ranking Member Lloyd Doggett II in response to a recent hearing on “Modernizing Care Coordination to Prevent and Treat Chronic Disease.” The letter expressed the CQRC’s appreciation for holding a hearing to consider ways to address challenges in diagnosing and managing chronic diseases and acknowledged the important bipartisan...
CQRC offers up SOAR Act as way to support access to new tech
September 22, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) shared a letter with the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee in advance of its hearing “Examining Policies to Enhance Seniors’ Access to Breakthrough Medical Technologies” to promote its SOAR Act. In the letter, the CQRC makes the case that the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (S. 1406/H.R. 2902) would:
Support innovation by locking in the savings from Medicare’s competitive...
CQRC Chair Menchen wants to protect patient access amid bidding, other concerns
August 8, 2025Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
ORLANDO, Fla. - As the new chair of the Council for Quality Respiratory Care, Robin Menchen has a lot of irons in the fire, including the SOAR Act, the new national coverage determination for non-invasive ventilation and the return of competitive bidding. Menchen, who is also president and CEO of Rotech Healthcare, spoke with HME News about the organization’s priorities and where the industry can look for opportunity.
HME News: The big news in the industry right now is the return of...
In brief: CQRC’s bid concerns, NCPA’s latest PBM push, AAH's new leaders
July 11, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) is concerned that Medicare’s proposed competitive bidding program could have substantial negative consequences on patient access and quality of care. The council says it's time to pass reform that permanently removes the supplemental oxygen benefit from the program.
“While we continue to review the proposed rule to understand its full impact and scope, the CQRC is deeply concerned the methodology proposed...
CQRC says bid program could harm access, underscores need for SOAR Act
July 9, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) is concerned that Medicare’s proposed competitive bidding program could have substantial negative consequences on patient access and quality of care. The council says it's time to pass reform that permanently removes the supplemental oxygen benefit from the program.
“While we continue to review the proposed rule to understand its full impact and scope, the CQRC is deeply concerned the methodology proposed...
In brief: SOAR Act support, ActivStyle acquisition, Viemed & Inogen results
May 9, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – 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 equipment and supplies,” the letter states....
Health care stakeholders urge support of SOAR Act
May 7, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – 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 equipment and supplies,” the letter states....