HR2902119th CongressWALLET

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.

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

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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