the length of the public health emergency.
Reaction
“We’re gratified to see that Congress has finally fixed the oxygen budget neutrality issue unfairly impacting rural suppliers,” said Tom Ryan, president and CEO of the American Association for Homecare. “HME stakeholders have been asking Congress and CMS to address this problem since 2016, and those sustained grassroots advocacy efforts have paid off with a long-term win for our industry.”
Ryan noted that the rural oxygen stakeholders should thank Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) for pushing for the oxygen fix in the 115th and 116th Congresses
“Their persistent support, high credibility on the Hill, and creative thinking in spearheading new legislation (H.R. 8158) were all critical in finally prevailing on this issue,” he said.
Ryan said the lengthening the pause on the 2 percent sequestration cuts was welcome and came about due to “a significant amount of grassroots outreach” on the issue over the past two months.
“While I believe a longer extension is warranted, this measure of relief will support the entire healthcare continuum’s work to bring the pandemic under control,” he said.