Tucson Doctor: SOAR Act Is Essential for Public Health, Not Just Policy Reform

Dr. Felix Reyes, a pulmonary and critical care physician and medical director for Respiratory Services at Northwest Medical Center in Tucson, emphasizes the critical need for improved access to oxygen therapy in Arizona. His focus ranges from COPD and pulmonary fibrosis to the long-term ramifications of COVID-19, illustrating the vital role supplemental oxygen plays for many residents.

Unfortunately, many patients encounter significant barriers in obtaining the oxygen support they require. These issues stem not from medical complexity but from outdated Medicare policies that fail to accommodate modern respiratory care needs. To address these challenges, Reyes advocates for the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act (SOAR), a bipartisan initiative aimed at reforming how oxygen therapy is administered and reimbursed.

The SOAR Act proposes essential updates, including expanded access to diverse oxygen delivery systems, an efficient approval process, and the establishment of a patient bill of rights. Equally important, it underscores the vital contributions of respiratory therapists.

In a state grappling with high rates of chronic respiratory illness, this legislation is crucial. Arizona’s vast rural areas often lack access to specialized equipment and care providers, while environmental factors like dust storms and rising temperatures intensify lung conditions for vulnerable populations.

Improving access to oxygen therapy could lead to fewer emergency room visits and better overall health outcomes for residents. Dr. Reyes has heard countless distressing stories, from patients waiting weeks for approvals to others unable to secure necessary equipment, leaving them isolated and dependent.

“The SOAR Act represents a pivotal opportunity to rectify these issues,” he asserts. “It sends a clear message that every Arizonan deserves the right to breathe freely and live fully.”

Dr. Reyes calls on Arizona’s congressional delegation to support the SOAR Act, noting that communities—from Tucson to Sierra Vista to Yuma—are depending on this essential reform. His plea is simple yet urgent: let Arizona lead in compassionate respiratory care reform, offering more than just oxygen but also the freedom to breathe.

With training from esteemed institutions like Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Reyes actively engages with organizations that advocate for lung health, demonstrating his commitment to improving respiratory care across the state.