Supplemental Oxygen Reform Access (SOAR)

Let’s flood Congress with phone calls and emails! 

LAM women need your help.  In partnership with the COPD Foundation and Running on Air, we are joining forces to overwhelm Congress with phone calls and emails letting them know we want them to cosponsor the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) bill 

For many women, LAM’s progression can lead to high flow oxygen requirements.  Due to Medicare competitive bidding enacted in the 2000’s, oxygen companies in the name of profits switched out longer-lasting liquid oxygen for shorter duration, heavier, compressed oxygen, leaving high-flow patients without the ability to leave their homes.  For comparison, portable liquid oxygen lasts up to 6 hours, and compressed lasts only 1-2.  Women with LAM face a future where they are locked in their homes, unable to participate in even the simplest joys of life like a family outing.   

On behalf of our LAM sisters and the 1.5 million oxygen users across the country, we need YOU to contact your members of Congress and ask them to cosponsor the Senate bill (S. 3821) and the House bill (H.R. 7829).   

How do you identify your members of Congress? 

Click here to open Congress.gov’s page to search for your members of Congress.  Enter your address into the box below “Find Your Members” (see image below) and select your address. 

 

 

Your three members will then be listed.  It is possible, based on your address, that two Representatives are listed.  If you are unsure which one is yours you can contact both.  Most Representatives have an address lookup to limit emails only to their constituents. 

Click here to see if any of your members of Congress have already cosponsored the bills. 

How to Prepare 

  1. Identify your congressional leaders. 
  2. Check the “Legislator Information” below to see if your Representative is on the Ways and Means, Energy Commerce, and if your Senator is on the Finance Committee.  These committees are where the SOAR Act is stored currently.  
  3. Check the “Legislator Information” below to see if your legislators have already cosponsored the bill.   This affects what your “ask” to them will be.  
  4. Choose the correct sample conversation script below for your situation. 
  5. Read your conversation ahead of time and practice so you have the correct information.   
  6. Set aside a 15-20 minute window between 9am and 4pm ET on October 2nd to call, or break it up to 3 different times blocks of 5-10 minutes each.  If we get enough people calling in you may need a backup time. 
  7. Call your Representative first. 
  8. After your call, share about calling online, and tag The LAM Foundation, Running On Air, the COPD Foundation, SOARbillO2, Worldoxygenday, and your members of Congress. 

If you are unable to call on October 2nd, please call on October 1st or October 3rd OR send emails. 

What’s the difference between asking them to “COSPONSOR” the bill versus “supporting” the bill? 

Supporting the bill is asking that they vote for if it comes up for a vote.  COSPONSORING means they are adding their name to the bill as a supporter.  This gives it more emphasis. 

What to Say 

After selecting the proper conversation script from below, note that you’ll be saying almost the same thing on each call. Remember, you are having a conversation with a staff member.  Pause after the first paragraph.  They may ask you to repeat it or ask you for your address to confirm that you are a constituent. 

 Sample conversation scripts 

REPRESENTATIVE CONVERSATIONS 

If your representative is: 

NOT ON the Ways and Means or Energy Commerce Committee and IS NOT already a cosponsor: 

Hi. My name is ____and I’m a constituent of Representative (Representative’s last name). I’m calling because today is World Oxygen Day, and I’m asking Representative (Representative’s last name) to COSPONSOR the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform bill, which is number H.R. 7829. 

This bill is important to me because..(share your story or reason here.) 

ON the Ways and Means or Energy Commerce Committee and IS NOT already a cosponsor: 

Hi. My name is ____and I’m a constituent of Representative (Representative’s last name). I’m calling because today is World Oxygen Day, and I’m asking Representative (Representative’s last name) to COSPONSOR the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform bill, which is number H.R. 7829 and to ask (him/her) to ask the Committee leadership to review the bill this session.  (Note: If you would like, you can also ask to schedule a meeting at the local office to discuss the importance of this bill.) 

This bill is important to me because…(share your story or reason here.) 

ON the Ways and Means or Energy Commerce Committee and IS already a cosponsor: 

Hi. My name is ____, and I’m a constituent of Representative (Representative’s last name). I’m calling because today is World Oxygen Day, and I’d like to THANK Representative (Representative’s last name) for being a cosponsor of the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform bill, which is number H.R. 7829 and to ask (him/her) to ask the Committee leadership to review the bill this session. 

NOT ON the Ways and Means or Energy Commerce Committee and IS already a cosponsor: 

Hi. My name is ____, and I’m a constituent of Representative (Representative’s last name). I’m calling because today is World Oxygen Day, and I’d like to THANK Representative (Representative’s last name) for being a cosponsor of the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform bill, which is number H.R. 7829. 

SENATOR CONVERSATIONS 

The bipartisan bill was introduced by Senator Bill Cassidy (LA and a Committee member) and has 4 cosponsors, Senators Mark Warner (VA), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Gary Peters (MI), and Martha Blackburn (TN and a Committee member). 

If your Senator is: 

NOT on the Budget Committee and NOT already a cosponsor: 

Hi. My name is ____, and I’m a constituent of Senator (Senator’s last name).  I’m calling because today is World Oxygen Day, and I’m asking Senator (Senator’s last name) to COSPONSOR the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform bill, which is number S.3821. 

This bill is important to me because..(share your story or reason here.) 

ON the Budget Committee and NOT already a cosponsor: 

Hi. My name is ____, and I’m a constituent of Senator (Senator’s last name).  I’m calling because today is World Oxygen Day, and I’m asking Senator (Senator’s last name) to COSPONSOR the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform bill, which is number S.3821 and to ask (him/her) to ask the Committee leadership to review the bill this session.  (Note: If you would like, you can also ask to schedule a meeting at the local office to discuss the importance of this bill.) 

This bill is important to me because..(share your story or reason here) 

ON the Budget Committee and already a cosponsor: 

Hi. My name is ____, and I’m a constituent of Senator (Senator’s last name).  I’m calling because today is World Oxygen Day, and I want to thank Senator (Senator’s last name) for being a COSPONSOR of the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform bill, and to ask (him/her) to ask the Committee leadership to review the bill this session, which is number S.3821.  (Note: If you would like, you can also ask to schedule a meeting at the local office to discuss the importance of this bill.) 

This bill is important to me because..(share your story or reason here.) 

ON the Budget Committee and already a cosponsor: 

Hi. My name is ____, and I’m a constituent of Senator (Senator’s last name).  I’m calling because today is World Oxygen Day, and I want to thank Senator (Senator’s last name) for being a COSPONSOR of the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform bill, which is number S.3821.  

This bill is important to me because..(share your story or reason here.) 

LEGISLATOR INFORMATION 

Current Committee Memberships and Co-Sponsors 

Important House Committee Members 

The members are listed by state in alphabetical order.  If you see a “*” after a name, that Representative is already a cosponsor. 

Alabama

Gary J. Palmer – Energy and Commerce Committee
Terri A. Sewell - Ways and Means Committee

Arizona

Debbie Lesko - Energy and Commerce Committee
David Schweikert - Ways and Means Committee

California

Nanette Diaz Barragan – Energy and Commerce Committee
Tony Cardenas – Energy and Commerce Committee
Judy Chu - Ways and Means Committee
Anna G. Eshoo - Energy and Commerce Committee
Jimmy Gomez - Ways and Means Committee
Doris O. Matsui - Energy and Commerce Committee
Jay Obernolte – Energy and Commerce Committee
Jimmy Panetta - Ways and Means Committee
Scott H. Peters - Energy and Commerce Committee
Raul Ruiz - Energy and Commerce Committee
Linda T. Sanchez - Ways and Means Committee
Michelle Steel - Ways and Means Committee
Mike Thompson - Ways and Means Committee

Colorado

Diana DeGette - Energy and Commerce Committee 

Connecticut 

John B. Larson - Ways and Means Committee 

Delaware 

Lisa Blunt Rochester - Energy and Commerce Committee

Florida

Gus M. Bilirakis – Energy and Commerce Committee
Vern Buchanan - Ways and Means Committee
Kat Cammack – Energy and Commerce Committee
Kathy Castor - Energy and Commerce Committee
Neal P. Dunn - Energy and Commerce Committee
Darren Soto* - Energy and Commerce Committee
Gregory Steube - Ways and Means Committee

Georgia 

Rick W. Allen - Energy and Commerce Committee
Earl L. “Buddy” Carter - Energy and Commerce Committee
Drew Ferguson IV - Ways and Means Committee

Idaho 

Russ Fulcher – Energy and Commerce Committe 

Illinois 

Danny K. Davis - Ways and Means Committee
Robin L Kelly – Energy and Commerce Committee
Darin LaHood - Ways and Means Committee
Janice D. Schakowsky – Energy and Commerce Committee
Bradley Scott Schneider - Ways and Means Committee 

Indiana 

Larry Bucshon* - Energy and Commerce Committee
Greg Pence - Energy and Commerce Committee 

Iowa 

Randy Feenstra - Ways and Means Committee
Mariannette Miller-Meeks - Energy and Commerce Committee 

Kansas 

Ron Estes - Ways and Means Committee 

Kentucky 

Brett Guthrie 

Maryland 

John P. Sarbanes - Energy and Commerce Committee 

Massachusetts 

Richard E. Neal - Ways and Means Committee
Lori Trahan - Energy and Commerce Committee 

Michigan 

Angie Craig - Energy and Commerce Committee
Debbie Dingell - Energy and Commerce Committee
John James - Energy and Commerce Committee
Daniel T. Kildee - Ways and Means Committee
Tim Walberg - Energy and Commerce Committee 

Minnesota 

Angie Craig - Energy and Commerce Committee
Michelle Fischbach - Ways and Means Committee 

Missouri 

Jason Smith  - Ways and Means Committee (chair) 

Nebraska 

Adrian Smith* - Ways and Means Committee 

New Hampshire 

Ann M. Kuster – Energy and Commerce Committee 

New Jersey 

Frank Pallone - Energy and Commerce Committee 

New York 

Yvette D. Clarke - Energy and Commerce Committee
Nicole Malliotakis - Ways and Means Committee
Claudia Tenney - Ways and Means Committee
Paul Tonko - Energy and Commerce Committee 

North Carolina 

Richard Hudson - Energy and Commerce Committee
Gregory F. Murphy - Ways and Means Committee 

North Dakota 

Kelly Armstrong - Energy and Commerce Committee (vice chair) 

Ohio 

Troy Balderson – Energy and Commerce Committee
Mike Carey - Ways and Means Committee
Robert E. Latta – Energy and Commerce Committee
Brad R. Wenstrup - Ways and Means Committee 

Oklahoma 

Kevin Hern - Ways and Means Committee 

Oregon 

Earl Blumenauer - Ways and Means Committee 

Pennsylvania 

Dwight Evans - Ways and Means Committee
Brian K. Fitzpatrick - Ways and Means Committee
John Joyce – Energy and Commerce Committee
Mike Kelly - Ways and Means Committee
Lloyd Smucker - Ways and Means Committee 

South Carolina 

Jeff Duncan - Energy and Commerce Committee 

Tennessee 

Diana Harshbarger – Energy and Commerce Committee
David Kustoff - Ways and Means Committee 

Texas 

Jodey C. Arrington - Ways and Means Committee
Michael C. Burgess – Energy and Commerce Committee
Dan Crenshaw – Energy and Commerce Committee
Lloyd Doggett - Ways and Means Committee
Beth Van Duyne - Ways and Means Committee
Lizzie Fletcher – Energy and Commerce Committee
August Pfluger – Energy and Commerce Committee
Randy K. Weber, Sr. – Energy and Commerce Committee
Marc A. Veasey – Energy and Commerce Committee 

Utah 

John R. Curtis - Energy and Commerce Committee
Blake D. Moore - Ways and Means Committee 

Virginia 

Donald S. Beyer, Jr. - Ways and Means Committee
Morgan Griffith - Energy and Commerce Committee

Washington 

Suzan K. DelBene - Ways and Means Committee
Cathy McMorris Rodgers - Energy and Commerce Committee (chair)
Kim Schrier - Energy and Commerce Committee 

West Virginia 

Carol D. Miller - Ways and Means Committee 

Wisconsin 

Gwen Moore - Ways and Means Committee 

Important Senate Committee Members 

The members are listed by state in alphabetical order. If you see a “*” after a name, that Senator is already a cosponsor. 

Colorado

Michael F. Bennet – Finance Committee 

Delaware 

Thomas R. Carper - Finance Committee

Idaho 

Mike Crapo - Finance Committee 

Iowa 

Chuck Grassley - Finance Committee 

Indiana 

Todd Young - Finance Committee 

Louisiana 

Bill Cassidy* - Finance Committee 

Maryland 

Benjamin L. Cardin - Finance Committee 

Massachusetts 

Elizabeth Warren - Finance Committee 

Michigan 

Debbie Stabenow - Finance Committee 

Montana 

Steve Daines - Finance Committee 

Nevada 

Catherine Cortez Masto - Finance Committee 

New Hampshire 

Margaret Wood Hassan - Finance Committee 

New Jersey 

George S. Helmy - Finance Committee 

North Carolina

Thom Tillis - Finance Committee 

Ohio 

Sherrod Brown - Finance Committee 

Oklahoma 

James Lankford - Finance Committee 

Oregon 

Ron Wyden - - Finance Committee (chair) 

Pennsylvania 

Robert P. Casey - Finance Committee 

Rhode Island 

Sheldon Whitehouse - Finance Committee 

South Carolina 

Tim Scott - Finance Committee 

South Dakota 

John Thune - Finance Committee 

Tennessee 

Marsha Blackburn* - Finance Committee 

Texas 

John Cornyn - Finance Committee 

Virginia 

Mark R. Warner* - Finance Committee 

Washington 

Maria Cantwell 

Wisconsin 

Ron Johnson - Finance Committee 

Wyoming 

John Barrasso - Finance Committee 

 Source:  

https://runningonair.net/world-oxygen-day 

https://www.copdfoundation.org/Take-Action/Get-Involved/World-Oxygen-Day.aspx 

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