The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and our volunteers work to develop and implement public policies to improve the quality of life for people with asthma and allergies.
HOT TOPICS!
CONGRESS CONSIDERS HEALTH CARE REFORM
Congress will address health care reform legislation this year and AAFA wants to keep you informed as we voice the interests of asthma and allergy patients. Click here for updates and health reform background and resources links.
TAKE ACTION ! Contact Congress and the President, NOW!
SIGN A PETITION! Please join AAFA and thousands of asthma and allergic disease advocates by signing the Petition for Change today.
MEDICARE DRUG PLAN OPEN ENROLLEMENT
November 15 - December 31
Visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare to enroll. More info...
CDC ANNOUNCES FLU ADVICE FOR ASTHMA PATIENTS
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has flu tips for people with asthma and their caregivers. To learn more about these recommendations and for updates, visit www.cdc.gov/H1N1Flu/asthma.htm on the Web or call CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO. For up-to-date information on seasonal and H1N1 flu (formerly known as "swine flu") flu, visit www.flu.gov.
To find flu shots in your area, click here.
NEW DISABILITY RULES PROPOSED, TOWN HALL MEETINGS COMING
The federal government is proposing new rules that will improve the workplace rights of people who have asthma and allergies. The rules state that asthma may be "substantially limiting" (meeting the definition of disabled) for some, and that conditions that are being controlled by medication may still be disabling. For more information or to comment, click on: http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/qanda_adaaa_nprm.html
"MICHELLE'S LAW" TAKES EFFECT
"Michelle's Law", a federal law permitting college students to take up to a year off of school for medical reasons and remain on their family's health insurance plan, took effect in October. The law is named for the late Michelle Morse, who continued her college studies while battling colon cancer in order to remain on her parents' health insurance plan.
AAFA SPEAKS TO THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION ON PRIMATENE BAN
AAFA made a statement at a recent meeting of the FDA to recommend ways to let the public know about the upcoming ban of over-the-counter epinephrine inhalers, like Primatene Mist. The ban will go into effect on December 31, 2011.
Click here for AAFA's report on the workshop Click here to read AAFA's statement to FDA
COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS RESEARCH
Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) that identifies the most effective treatments can be an important tool, but patients need safeguards to protect their access to the best medical options to meet their needs. AAFA has a policy memo on CER , and updated information about CER proposals in Congress.
AGENCY OFFERS FREE TOOL TO MEASURE ASTHMA CARE SAVINGS
The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has announced a free tool to assist businesses by calculating their savings if they offer asthma management programs for their workers. http://statesnapshots.ahrq.gov/asthma/
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