Proposed change in Medicare law could impact 21,500 Ohioans

A proposed change in Federal law could cause an estimated 21,500 Ohioans using home oxygen therapy to lose their Medicare benefit, according to an article in the Chillocothe Gazette (source: "Home oxygen users worried over legislation to cut benefits," Sept. 3, 2007). The change, part of the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007 (CHAMP), passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Aug. 1st. The Senate is currently considering the bill.

Under the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act, Medicare allowed 36 months of coverage for people using home oxygen. The CHAMP bill would decreased that coverage time to 18 months. As the article states, if the bill becomes law approximately $2 billion in Medicare funding for home oxygen therapy would be cut over the next five years. The therapy is used by people who suffer from lung diseases and other respiratory problems.