FAIRFAX, Va., May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Asthma and
allergy treatment has seen remarkable innovation in the last 25
years, but this progress is still not reaching everyone. On
May 8, Allergy & Asthma Network
is hosting its 27th annual Allergy & Asthma Day
Capitol Hill (AADCH) in Washington, DC to advocate for healthcare
policies and legislation that leave no one behind – regardless of
race, ethnicity, education, income level or where they live.
AADCH is a free advocacy event in which patients, families,
advocates, industry partners and healthcare professionals go to
Capitol Hill to meet with legislators and their staff. The goal is
to raise awareness and urge passage of legislation and policies
that end needless death and suffering due to asthma, allergies and
related conditions.
Allergy & Asthma Network has scheduled in-person visits with
members of Congress and their staff. The theme this year is
"Breaking Barriers: Advancing Health Equity for All." More than 100
AADCH advocates are expected to be on Capitol Hill to advocate for
expanded access to safe, effective and affordable healthcare,
diversity in research, and policies that aim to improve health
outcomes for all.
More than 25 million Americans have asthma and 50+ million have
allergies. These conditions disproportionately impact Black,
Hispanic/Latino and Native American communities. Social, economic
and environmental factors often play a key role in causing asthma
and allergy disparities.
"Health disparities create barriers to accessing care and
achieving optimal health," says Lynda
Mitchell, CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network. "This year we
are headed to Capitol Hill to address challenges including high
out-of-pocket expenses, harmful insurance practices such as step
therapy and prior authorization, and high-cost medications that put
Americans at risk for poorer health outcomes and deepen inequities
for people living with chronic respiratory conditions."
Each of these challenges can be addressed through federal
legislation, policies, and sustained investments that promote
respiratory health.
During AADCH, Allergy & Asthma Network will ask Congress to
support five bills that would help improve access to
medication:
- Safe Step Act improves health insurance step
therapy protocols and ensures patients are able to obtain the best
treatment prescribed for them.
- Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays
Act requires health insurers to count the value of copay
assistance toward deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums.
- Epinephrine's Pharma Inflated Price Ends Now (EPIPEN)
Act caps out-of-pocket cost for a two-pack of epinephrine
auto-injector devices at $60 for
patients with employer-based or individually purchased health
insurance.
- Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act expands the
CDC's National Asthma Control Program to all 50 states; directs the
CDC to collaborate with state and local health departments on
information and education to the public on asthma; requires the
development of state plans around public health responses to
asthma; and requires the collection and coordination of data on the
impact of asthma.
- Dillon's Law incentivizes states to train, certify,
and enable good Samaritans to give epinephrine to a person
experiencing anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction), in the event
they need the medication before emergency medical services can
arrive.
Allergy & Asthma Network also advocates for greater clinical
trial diversity to reflect real-world patient populations; and
federal funding to support ongoing asthma and allergy research and
health programs at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others.
For a complete list of AADCH issues and priorities, visit our
Advocacy Center.
In addition to advocacy visits, Allergy & Asthma Network
will host its annual Congressional Lunch Briefing on May 8 in the Rayburn House Office Building in
Washington, DC. The briefing
features members of the Congressional Asthma & Allergy Caucus,
presentations from leading allergists, NIH and EPA, and patient
testimonials.
"We are excited to head back to Capitol Hill to advocate for
legislation that is patient-first and reinforces health equity,"
says Charmayne Anderson, Director of
Advocacy at Allergy & Asthma Network. "When everyone has access
to affordable healthcare and timely treatment, regardless of
background or circumstances, it can lower healthcare costs and lead
to better health outcomes."
Advocates not able to attend AADCH in person can still
participate on May 8 by sending
emails to their representatives in Congress. Our Take
Action webpage lists all active campaigns that need
support. You will find template emails to send to your legislators,
making advocating as easy as just a few clicks.
About Allergy & Asthma Network
Founded in 1985, Allergy & Asthma Network is the leading
nonprofit outreach, education, advocacy and research organization
for people and families living with allergies, asthma, and related
conditions. Our mission is simple yet profound:
to end needless death and suffering, empower people to take control
of their health and well-being, and make healthcare more inclusive,
equitable and accessible for people living with these conditions.
We are committed to raising awareness, promoting understanding,
offering resources, fostering collaboration, and advocating for
policies and research that enhance the quality of life for everyone
impacted by these conditions. We specialize in making medically
accurate information understandable to all while promoting
evidence-based care. Learn more
at AllergyAsthmaNetwork.org.
Contact: Gary
Fitzgerald
Allergy & Asthma Network
703-641-9595
gfitzgerald@AllergyAsthmaNetwork.org
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/allergy--asthma-day-capitol-hill-on-may-8-advancing-health-equity-for-all-302133483.html
SOURCE Allergy & Asthma Network