Advocates converge on Capitol Hill to demand lung health reform

The American Lung Association's fourth Respiratory Advocacy Day centers on the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act, a bill designed to rectify critical gaps in Medicare coverage. Beyond legislative reform, participants are pushing for $11.6 billion in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These resources are earmarked for the National Asthma Control Program, the Office on Smoking and Health, and the National Immunization Program, all of which serve as essential pillars for those managing asthma, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis.

For many, the mission is personal. Peter S. Berger, a firefighter and paramedic diagnosed with COPD at age 32 following job-related exposure, serves as a primary voice for the delegation. He emphasizes that the current health landscape requires more than just clinical care; it demands policy safeguards that protect over 11 million COPD patients and nearly 28 million people living with asthma. Attendees will spend the day training and engaging in direct meetings with members of Congress to ensure these lived experiences shape upcoming budgetary and regulatory decisions.