| The Home Oxygen Patient Protection (HOPP) Act | | | | relationship that has long been established in the |
| was introduced last month by U.S. Senators Pat | | | | field of oxygen therapy." commented Sen. Reed. |
| Roberts (R-KS) and Jack Reed (D-RI). This | | | | The CORC believes that capping home oxygen |
| bipartisan legislation was introduced to reverse the | | | | benefits at 36 months and forcing ownership of |
| effects of the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act. That | | | | the equipment on the patient creates an additional |
| Act required that Medicare recipients being | | | | an unnecessary burden for oxygen therapy |
| administered home oxygen therapy must | | | | patients. Peter Kelly, Chairman of the CQRC |
| purchase the equipment after 36 months, creating | | | | remarks, "As providers who deliver |
| an unnecessary burden for the patient. The | | | | cost-effective, life-enhancing care, we encourage |
| Senators were applauded for introducing the | | | | other lawmakers in Washington to support this |
| legislation by the Council for Quality Respiratory | | | | legislation, which provides one of America's most |
| Care (CQRC). The CQRC is a coalition of leading | | | | vulnerable populations with the stability and |
| home oxygen therapy providers and | | | | continuity of care they deserve." |
| manufacturers who provide equipment and | | | | Home oxygen therapy has proven over the |
| services to oxygen therapy patients. | | | | years to be a cost-effective treatment method |
| There are over 1 million Medicare patients | | | | for combating COPD and other respiratory |
| receiving some form of oxygen therapy in the | | | | illnesses. When you compare the average cost |
| United States. Most individuals receiving oxygen | | | | per day of home oxygen therapy, $7.62, to the |
| therapy have been diagnosed with Chronic | | | | average cost per day for hospitalization for |
| Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the 4th | | | | COPD, $4,606, the savings from Home oxygen |
| leading cause of death in the United States. The | | | | therapy are obvious. |
| average home oxygen therapy patient is a 73 | | | | "Home oxygen therapy helps to provide comfort |
| year-old woman with COPD. The major risk | | | | to sufferers of chronic respiratory illness by |
| factor for COPD is smoking, with over 75% of | | | | allowing them to receive treatment in their |
| COPD deaths being smoking related. | | | | homes", stated Sen. Reed. Sen. Reed concluded |
| Senators Reed and Roberts led the way to | | | | by remarking "It is essential that those suffering |
| change the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act. "The | | | | from these conditions receive the best care |
| current regulations place an undue burden on | | | | available without the additional and potentially |
| patients, many of whom are elderly, and | | | | life-threatening burden of trying to repair and |
| removes the important patient-provider | | | | maintain their oxygen equipment". |