Senator Wendy Rogers has introduced SB 1052, which would allow assisted living homes and centers to offer mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to residents.
SB 1052 gives assisted living facilities the option to provide mild HBOT using FDA-cleared Class II hyperbaric chambers designed for home use. Unlike traditional hospital-based hyperbaric therapy, mild HBOT uses lower oxygen concentrations and pressure, making it appropriate for supervised, non-emergency settings when ordered by a physician.
Under Rogers’ bill, HBOT provided must be ordered by a physician, and facilities must have a trained staff member on site whenever therapy is administered. Residents must receive clear notice about known risks and contraindications, be advised to consult with their treating physician, and be informed when the therapy is considered off-label for conditions beyond mild symptoms associated with acute mountain sickness.
SB 1052 also includes additional protections for residents requiring directed care services, requiring both physician orders and informed consent from the resident or an authorized representative before therapy may be provided.
Assisted living residents often seek alternative or supportive therapies to improve quality of life, recovery, or wellness. SB 1052 ensures those options are available without forcing residents into hospitals or denying them care choices. Importantly, the legislation carries no anticipated cost to taxpayers, and it authorizes the Department of Health Services to adopt rules only as necessary to implement the program safely.