American Lung Association Statement to the New Presidential Administration

Today, Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, released the following statement to welcome the new Presidential administration and to underscore the organization’s 2025 federal policy priorities. 

“The American Lung Association is ready to work with President Trump, his administration and the 119th Congress to help keep everyone’s lungs healthy in 2025 and beyond. 

“The Lung Association has more than 120 years experience in advancing lung health and preventing chronic disease, so we know that everyone’s lungs need clean air to breathe, quality and affordable healthcare, access to proven quit tobacco treatments and protection from harmful respiratory viruses. Our policy priorities all aim to keep everyone healthy and reduce the burden of chronic lung diseases so people can go to school, go to work and enjoy time with their families.”

Here are the American Lung Association’s four areas of focus for our federal advocacy work in 2025:

• Protect and expand access to quality and affordable healthcare. Everyone needs comprehensive, affordable, accessible and adequate healthcare to prevent, manage and treat chronic lung diseases, like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis.
• Champion clean air for all. Clean air is essential for healthy lungs, but too many communities still breathe dirty air and need support to clean up sources of pollution. 
• Improve lung health and reduce the burden of chronic lung disease. Chronic lung diseases like COPD and lung cancer, are top causes of death and disability in the U.S, and investments are needed to reduce the burden of disease and help prevent future diagnoses. 
• Create a tobacco-free future. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death and chronic disease and disability in the U.S, and federal oversight over all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, and funding for programs that reduce the use of tobacco will reduce chronic disease and save lives.

For more detailed information on the Lung Association’s priorities for the 119th Congress, visit lung.org/policy-advocacy/federal-action-plan.