News
Home oxygen users asked to support bill repealing supplier bidding, improve access to home oxygen
In January, a new program called Competitive Bidding was implemented. This program requires suppliers of durable medical equipment, including oxygen, to be awarded contracts by Medicare in order to continue providing certain equipment. Not all suppliers were awarded contracts. This caused some Alphas to have to change companies. If more than one type of equipment is being used, some Alphas even have to choose multiple companies. This has caused unnecessary confusion and anxiety for those with Alpha-1 over how they should receive supplies and maintenance of their oxygen equipment.
The bill H.R. 1041 has been introduced in Congress. It will repeal the Competitive Bidding program and help ensure that access and proper maintenance of oxygen medical equipment is guaranteed. The Alpha-1 Foundation, COPD Foundation and Alpha-1 Association are asking home oxygen users to express their support for the bill.
What You Can Do:
It is simple to take action. Call your elected official in the House of Representatives and ask them to support the bill.
Make sure you tell him/her that:
- You are a constituent.
- You have Alpha-1, a genetic (inherited) condition that resulted in your chronic lung disease.
- You would like your Representative to become a Co-sponsor of H.R. 1041, a fiscally responsible measure that will protect the health and well-being of the 1.5 million home oxygen users in the United States.
