August 7, 2007

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) has just learned final regulations governing the use of portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) on board commercial airlines may be on their way soon.

Writing in response to a letter sent by key members of the Congressional COPD Caucus, Department of Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters says the regulations are being finalized now and should be ready by the end of the year.

If enacted, the proposed regulations would significantly improve access to air travel for oxygen users because they require the airlines to allow approved POCs on board their flights. Currently, the federal government gives the airlines the option to permit approved POCs on board.  

“I fully appreciate your concern about the difficulties encountered in air travel by users of medical oxygen,” writes Secretary Peters in her response to Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), and Congressmen Cliff Stearns (R-FL). “I am committed to providing individuals dependent on medical oxygen greater access to air travel, consistent with Federal safety and security requirements.”

“The letter from the members of Congress to the secretary was intended to put the department on notice that Congress is becoming inpatient with the delay in issuing a final rule,” says AARC Director of Government Affairs Cheryl West, who notes the proposed regulations were first issued in the fall of 2005. Home oxygen users and the respiratory therapists and legislators who support them feel strongly the final action is long overdue.

You can learn much more about the regulations on the Airline Oxygen Council of America (AOCA) web site. The AARC is a key partner of the AOCA.