HOME OXYGEN EQUIPMENT BILL REINTRODUCED IN HOUSE

A Georgia congressman has reintroduced legislation that would extend Medicare's rental period for oxygen equipment to patients.

Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) Jan. 22 introduced the "Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act," H.R.621, which would amend Part B of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to prevent Medicare from automatically transferring ownership of oxygen equipment to beneficiaries after 36 months of rental. The transfer policy is a provision included in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

The American Association for Homecare, which provides healthcare support services, wants patients to be able to continue renting the equipment "as long as oxygen therapy is required." The association is opposed to "forcing transfer of responsibility and ownership for the equipment after 36 months of rental."

The bill has been referred to the House committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means.