1.1                          A bill for an act
  1.2             relating to health; requiring the commissioner of 
  1.3             health to study and present recommendations on access 
  1.4             to and the regulation of liquid oxygen. 
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  [LIQUID OXYGEN ACCESS AND REGULATION.] 
  1.7      The commissioner of health shall study consumer access to 
  1.8   liquid oxygen cylinders and liquid oxygen refill units and shall 
  1.9   present findings, recommendations for improved access, and draft 
  1.10  legislation to the legislature by December 15, 2003.  In 
  1.11  conducting the study, the commissioner shall establish an 
  1.12  advisory committee comprised of individuals representing 
  1.13  consumers, medical supply companies, health care professionals, 
  1.14  and organizations assisting individuals with respiratory 
  1.15  problems.  The study must examine problems faced by consumers in 
  1.16  obtaining or refilling liquid oxygen cylinders at hospitals and 
  1.17  other health care institutions and when traveling throughout the 
  1.18  state and must evaluate the reliability and efficiency of 
  1.19  medical equipment suppliers in providing replacement cylinders.  
  1.20  The study must provide recommendations on: 
  1.21     (1) the role of hospitals and health care institutions in 
  1.22  refilling liquid oxygen cylinders used by patients; 
  1.23     (2) whether liquid oxygen refill stations should be 
  1.24  established and, if applicable, recommendations on locations for 
  1.25  refill stations, safety standards, and payment and billing 
  2.1   procedures; 
  2.2      (3) the advisability of establishing quality standards for 
  2.3   medical supply companies to ensure prompt and reliable delivery 
  2.4   of oxygen refill cylinders; and 
  2.5      (4) any other issues related to improving access to liquid 
  2.6   oxygen cylinders and refills.