Allergy & Asthma Network targets five bills for support during Capitol Hill visit

Key takeaways:

• Advocates visited Washington, D.C., to discuss leading issues in allergy and asthma care with legislators.
• This year, Allergy & Asthma Network stressed the importance of equity.

On May 8, advocates from Allergy & Asthma Network visited Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress to discuss legislation that affects people with asthma, allergies and other related conditions.

“This day amplifies our advocacy work to shape and pass federal laws, policies and regulations to help people with asthma and allergies, especially those who face disparities or live in under-resourced and low-income communities,” Lynda Mitchell, MA, CAE, CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network (AAN), told Healio.

Lynda Mitchell

This year’s effort was AAN’s 27th annual Allergy and Asthma Day Capitol Hill.

“Our theme was ‘Breaking Barriers: Advancing Health Equity for All.’ We stressed that it’s important that no one is left behind in gaining access to medical care and new, innovative treatments,” Mitchell said.

More than 125 advocates from 29 different states took part in this day, according to AAN. In total, advocates met with more than 130 U.S. House and Senate offices to call attention to asthma and allergy legislation. Also, more than 2,000 people sent emails to their local representatives urging support.

AAN told Healio that it is focusing on five pieces of legislation this year.

The Safe Step Act (S. 652/H.R. 2630) helps patients access medication on time by ensuring they can seek an exception if there is a delay in health insurance coverage due to requirements that they try and fail on a different medication first.

The HELP Copays Act (H.R. 830) ensures that copay assistance is counted toward a plan holder’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.

The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act (H.R. 5749) expands the CDC’s National Asthma Control Program to all 50 states.

Dillon’s Law (H.R. 3910/S. 3575) provides states with incentives to allow good Samaritans to administer epinephrine to those experiencing anaphylaxis.

The EPIPEN Act (H.R. 6965) caps out-of-pocket costs for a two-pack of epinephrine autoinjectors at $60 for certain patients.

AAN worked with U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) to reintroduce the Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act in the 118th Congress during the event. Some agencies that AAN urged for renewed federal funding were the CDC, the NIH, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Our policy priorities focus on expanding access to care, getting people the care they need, and making sure the environments they live in are safe,” Mitchell said. “This is especially important for people living in under-resourced and low-income communities. Many in these communities are at higher risk for severe health outcomes, including hospitalizations and deaths. They face more barriers to care that impact their ability to get the asthma and allergy care they need and deserve.”

Mitchell further emphasized some of the actions that the organization is already doing to promote equity, such as its Trusted Messengers health equity program and providing free assessments to the community at large.

“We also provide patient education resources and offer free virtual coaching to improve asthma self-management skills,” she said. “Our virtual asthma coaching program is a novel and effective way to reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and reduce health care utilization. These efforts bridge gaps in care and empower individuals to manage their conditions effectively.”

Healio asked AAN what health care providers can do right now to further access to asthma and allergy care.

“Ongoing cooperation among health care professionals, policymakers, researchers, advocacy and community groups is vital for advancing allergy and asthma care and improving overall health outcomes for everyone, regardless of their background or financial situation,” Mitchell said.

“The health care industry can advocate for legislative changes to reduce the burden of prior authorization or step therapy, practices used by insurers that can delay patients’ access to medications for extended periods,” she continued.

Aside from legislative reform, Mitchell tells Healio that providers can also look at expanded insurance coverage for telehealth visits and help advance targeted interventions such as regular checkups, specialist consultations and medications while also contacting the AAN to aid in their advocacy efforts.