2009 - 2010 FEDERAL ADVOCACY TARGETS

1. Access to affordable, quality health care

Health Care Reform - Congress is now considering health care reform. AAFA will closely monitor proposals as they emerge. Coverage, financing and delivery system changes are expected to be part of the proposals.

The lack of effective health care coverage is one of the most important issues facing our nation. Nearly 50 million Americans have no coverage at all! Millions more are excluded because they have a preexisting condition or they cannot afford the out of pocket payments for their basic health and long-term care needs. The problem is especially acute for Americans with asthma and allergies - the people we represent.

We support health care that covers everyone, curbs costs responsibly, abolishes exclusions for pre-existing conditions, eliminates lifetime caps, and ensures long-term and end-of-life care.

On behalf of the more than 133 million people with chronic diseases and disabilities and their family caregivers, AAFA is urging the Administration and Congress to enact specific solutions that guarantee effective and affordable health and long-term care coverage for all Americans.

Children's Health - AAFA supports covering all the uninsured children in the US. In February, 2009, Congress passed and the President signed the new State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) into law. This act added nearly $32.8 billion in additional funding, has the potential to increase health care coverage for kids from low income families by 4 million children by 2013, and will continue covering 7 million currently eligible children. This new legislation will also extend SCHIP for another 4.5 years. We thank the Congress and President Obama for enacting this important measure! Now, the states must accelerate their efforts to get these newly eligible children enrolled so that they are covered by health insurance.

Comparative Effectiveness - AAFA believes that comparing a range of treatments and healthcare delivery modes can lead to improved care for patients. However, such research must recognize the unique needs of patients and balance them with societal needs. Otherwise, patients may be denied the care they need to address their own unique medical circumstances. AAFA is working to support proposals that promote the patient's interest in not having "one size fits all" treatment solutions. AAFA is a member of the National Working Group on Evidence-Based Health Care, which represents consumers, caregivers, practitioners and researchers committed to promoting accurate and appropriate evidence-based policies and practices to improve the quality of health care in the United States. We are dedicated to health care that relies on the most up-to-date research, clinician expertise and patient values. To learn more about this group please go to, www.evidencebasedhealthcare.org.

Annual Report of State Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools -The State Honor Roll™ of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools is a research project of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). This report identifies states with the most comprehensive and preferred state-wide public policies supporting people with asthma, food allergies and related allergic diseases in U.S. elementary, middle and high schools. The goal of this report is to provide a blueprint for asthma and allergy advocates in all states to help recognize and develop better school-based policies and practices.

Below is a link to the 2008 report. AAFA plans to announce the 2009 State Honor Roll in July.

State Honor Roll Report

Disparities in Asthma Care - The 2005 report, Ethnic Disparities in the Burden and Treatment of Asthma, co-authored by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC), finds that the burden of asthma falls disproportionately on the black and Hispanic-largely Puerto Rican-populations in the U.S., and especially on minority children. These groups have disproportionately high rates of poor asthma outcomes, including hospitalizations and deaths. Below is a link to the report.

Ethnic Disparities Report

2. Maximize basic, clinical, preventive and health services research funding

Federal Budget and Appropriations - AAFA, in coalition with the National Health Council and other collaboratives, will support increasing research funding for NIH, AHRQ, ASPE and other agencies relevant to asthma and allergic diseases.

3. Promote prevention, screening, environment and lifestyle interventions

Safe, Effective Medications and Treatments - AAFA will monitor medication safety and effectiveness issues and communicate this information to patients and government regulators.

National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month - AAFA will continue to support recognizing May as "National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month".

2010 - Year of the Lung - AAFA will promote 2010 events as part of the World Health Organization's Year of the Lung promotion.

Healthy Homes Funding - AAFA will monitor and consider supporting legislation to extend funding for activities extend healthy home activities to include asthma prevention goals.

Americans with Disabilities Act - AAFA will make patients and their caretakers aware of changes in the ADA and other anti-discrimination laws.

Appropriations - AAFA will monitor proposals and consider supporting legislation to appropriate federal funds for prevention related activities.