Connecting the Dots/Sleep Apnea

Congress passed a Bill directing the FMCSA not to proceed with publishing sleep apnea rules which would disqualify drivers.  Yet in May, the Agency issued its new certified doctor requirements notwithstanding the woefully inadequate number of doctors which signed up.  In publishing guidance to qualified doctors, the Agency recommends that doctors use the so-called STOP-Bang test to determine driver qualifications. STOP-Bang is an acronym for 8 criteria intended to identify drivers with sleep apnea.  Fail any three, and a driver can be required to take a $4,000 sleep apnea test.