PHONE CALLS TO CONGRESS NEEDED

The LAM community has an opportunity to advocate for improved oxygen therapy through a simple phone call to their congressional representatives. Access to respiratory therapists, high-flow liquid oxygen, and other medically necessary oxygen has eroded over the years due to cost-cutting initiatives in Medicare.  Patient prescriptions for appropriate medical equipment are being denied resulting in diminished quality of life and adverse health outcomes.

The LAM Foundation has joined with over 30 organizations in lobbying Congress for better access to oxygen and reimbursement of respiratory therapist services. Below is a script you can use to contact your representative.  Phone calls, as opposed to emails, demonstrate your willingness to go the extra mile for a cause.  Simply call the switchboard at the Capitol 202-224-3121 or look up your two Senators and one Representative’s phone number here.

Sample Script for Phone Call

My name is [INSERT YOUR NAME] and I live in [THE TOWN/CITY IN WHICH YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE.]

• I am calling today to ask the Representative to cosponsor the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act, legislation introduced on March 26 that will reform supplemental oxygen in Medicare.
• This legislation is important to me because [BRIEFLY SHARE YOUR OWN PERSONAL REASON FOR WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO YOU.]
• I hope I can count on Representative to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation.
• Thank you.
• Give them the number of the legislation depending on who you are talking to: #7829 in the House of Representatives and #3821 for the Senate.

To see whether your representative has signed on as a co-sponsor, go to https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7829/cosponsors and https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/3821/cosponsors

Thank you for taking the time to care!