Dear Friends
Most people take oxygen for
granted. Some of us need additional
oxygen to deal with chronic lung diseases and to remain healthy and
productive. Fortunately we have modern
oxygen equipment that can serve the needs of most people.
But oxygen remains under attack
because of proposed reductions in reimbursement to suppliers. This can potentially limit the application
of new ambulatory systems that have many advantages over the old and obsolete
concentrators and e-cylinders that remain used by many. Much of the problem can
be laid at the feet of the suppliers who have created an image to the
government, of providing only the most rudimentary equipment with limited
service, in the interests of profit.
This is the result of the "modality neutral reimbursement
policy," that is archaic and must be replaced. Hopefully public pressure by the over 1 million users and the
physicians who prescribe oxygen, can be used to gain legislation that will
support use of the most useful and rehabilitative methods of oxygen
administration. Ambulatory oxygen helps
improve survival and reduces hospitalizations, compared with stationary
oxygen. Thus it is cost effective.
Oxygen was discovered by Joseph
Priestly in 1774. He produced it from
chemicals that can be caused to release oxygen. He captured this "Pure Air," as he called it, in an
inverted glass cylinder placed over water to catch the bubbles of oxygen that
came from the chemicals. He and two
mice breathed this "pure air," and Priestley noted a "light and
easy feeling." “Who can tell, but in time this pure air may become a
fashionable article in luxury!"
Oxygen is not a luxury, but a
necessity to be able to live and enjoy life in the modern era. Congress, it is time to act!
I'll be in touch next month
Your Friend,
