Chronic Lung Disease Advocates From Across Nation Head to Capitol Hill to Champion Lung Health

On September 24, the American Lung Association will host its fourth Respiratory Advocacy Day, bringing people living with a chronic lung disease from across the country to Washington, D.C. to share their experiences with members of Congress. They will ask lawmakers to co-sponsor the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act to improve access to supplemental oxygen in Medicare and support $11.6 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve our nation’s lung health, including robust funding for the National Asthma Control Program, the Office on Smoking and Health and the National Immunization Program.

Recent events—including increasing wildfire smoke events impacting much of the country, two of the worst flu seasons in decades, and U.S. measles cases reaching a 35-year high—have shone a spotlight on the critical needs of people living with a chronic respiratory disease.

“Personal stories put a face to the day-to-day challenges of the more than 35 million people in the United States living with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis and other chronic lung diseases,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “Our Lung Champions are sharing their powerful voices with lawmakers and expanding public visibility of chronic lung disease to bring lifesaving change.”

“I’m proud to represent, not only the people who suffer from chronic lung disease in Florida, but people who live across the country. We rely on these health programs being fully funded,” said Peter S. Berger, Firefighter/Paramedic, and Chair-Elect and Advocacy Chair of the American Lung Association’s South Florida Board of Directors. “I was diagnosed with COPD from a job-related exposure at only 32 years old. I’ve made it my mission to advocate for lung health ever since."

In the United States, there are more than 11.1 million people with COPD, almost 28 million people with asthma (including 4.8 million children), and more than 80,000 people with pulmonary fibrosis. These individuals need strong public health programs to address chronic and infectious lung diseases and ongoing access to affordable, quality healthcare, including supplemental oxygen.

In addition to the Congressional visits, Respiratory Advocacy Day participants will attend training sessions and will meet with and share their experiences with other lung health partners and advocates.

Learn more about Respiratory Advocacy Day and see how you can get involved at Lung.org/rad.