SOAR Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Valadao
Introduced
Summary
This bill would shift Medicare oxygen payments away from competitive bidding to a price-based fee system and set new rules for liquid oxygen and high-flow patients. It would also create stronger patient rights, require regular notices about rental caps, and add Medicare coverage and a distinct payment for respiratory therapist services.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Medicare coverage for respiratory therapist care
If enacted, Medicare would cover respiratory therapist services for oxygen patients for care on or after January 1, 2026. Services must be within state‑defined scope and accreditation standards. This could make it easier to get assessment, treatment, and monitoring tied to your oxygen needs.
New Medicare payment rules for oxygen
If enacted, Medicare would remove oxygen from competitive bidding starting on or after January 1, 2026. In bidding areas, 2026 payments would match the 2025 fee schedule and then rise each year by CPI‑U. Rural and non‑contiguous areas would get a blend: half of 110% of the national average price plus half of the local fee schedule (adjusted yearly by CPI‑U). Other areas would get 75% of the adjusted bidding amount and 25% of the unadjusted fee schedule. Liquid oxygen would have its own rate with a floor of at least 200% of the 2015 DME fee schedule updated by CPI‑U; that amount would be paid as an interim rate after enactment until the new rate starts. If your prescription is 6 liters per minute or more, you would trigger a monthly add‑on tied to the extra oxygen cost. A non‑budget‑neutral add‑on for respiratory therapist services would begin January 1, 2026 and be set by rule.
Stronger service rules for oxygen suppliers
If enacted, the Secretary would set patient rights and supplier duties for oxygen care. You could choose or change a qualified local supplier and get clear notices on policies, costs, repairs, and 24‑hour on‑call support. Suppliers would need to do an initial evaluation, deliver and set up equipment, give safety and infection‑control info, provide timely maintenance, and help with travel or a move. Involuntary discharge would require written notice at least 30 days ahead, unless there is an immediate threat. These supplier service requirements would start one year after enactment.
Faster, clearer Medicare oxygen approvals
If enacted, an electronic prescription template would start for oxygen items on January 1, 2026. It would show recent practitioner contact, test results, and that you need or use the equipment, without requiring medical record notes. Medicare contractors would process these claims electronically. The Secretary would set objective liquid oxygen coverage rules by January 1, 2026 and review them at least every five years. For claims filed after enactment, audits would have to use clinical judgment like before 2009.
Monthly notice of oxygen rental months
If enacted, the Secretary would send a monthly notice to people getting supplemental oxygen. The notice would show how many rental‑cap months you have left when you must keep paying the copay. Patient and clinician groups would help design the notice.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Valadao
CA • R
Cosponsors
Brownley
CA • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Smith (NE)
NE • R
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Evans (CO)
CO • R
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Vasquez
NM • D
Sponsored 4/21/2025
Wasserman Schultz
FL • D
Sponsored 4/24/2025
Ciscomani
AZ • R
Sponsored 4/24/2025
Cohen
TN • D
Sponsored 4/24/2025
Tokuda
HI • D
Sponsored 4/24/2025
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 4/24/2025
Dingell
MI • D
Sponsored 4/24/2025
Lawler
NY • R
Sponsored 4/24/2025
Strickland
WA • D
Sponsored 4/24/2025
Houlahan
PA • D
Sponsored 4/24/2025
Fields
LA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Gottheimer
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/19/2025
Harder (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Vindman
VA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Ross
NC • D
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Perez
WA • D
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Tlaib
MI • D
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Sorensen
IL • D
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Bynum
OR • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Fitzpatrick
PA • R
Sponsored 10/6/2025
Mannion
NY • D
Sponsored 10/6/2025
Sewell
AL • D
Sponsored 10/6/2025
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 10/17/2025
Rutherford
FL • R
Sponsored 10/17/2025
Thanedar
MI • D
Sponsored 10/31/2025
Balderson
OH • R
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Olszewski
MD • D
Sponsored 12/12/2025
Soto
FL • D
Sponsored 12/15/2025
Hayes
CT • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Lofgren
CA • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Cleaver
MO • D
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Rogers (AL)
AL • R
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Adams
NC • D
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Moore (UT)
UT • R
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Dexter
OR • D
Sponsored 1/27/2026
Kennedy (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Riley (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Owens
UT • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Bilirakis
FL • R
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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