VIENNA, VA, APRIL 27, 2017 — Asthma and allergy patients, families, healthcare providers and patient advocates will join Allergy & Asthma Network in canvassing Capitol Hill on Thursday, May 4 to urge Congress to expand access to safe, effective and affordable healthcare, as well as continue funding for research.

The meetings with members of Congress are part of the Network’s 20th annual Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill (AADCH) in Washington, D.C. The leading voice and patient advocate for more than 24 million Americans with asthma and 50 million with allergies, the Network has scheduled more than 100 visits so far.

“Our mission is the same as it was 20 years ago – to end needless death and suffering due to asthma, allergies and related conditions,” says Tonya Winders, President and CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network. “By expanding patient access to medications, medical procedures, health insurance and telemedicine, and implementing asthma management programs in schools nationwide, we enhance preventive care and provide treatment options essential for patients to live a full, active life.”

At AADCH, the Network brings together members of Congress and their staff, families impacted by asthma or allergies, healthcare professionals and patient advocates. The Network’s key legislative initiatives include:

  • Access to affordable, high-quality healthcare is important for all Americans, but especially for those with chronic, life-threatening conditions such as asthma and severe allergies. The Network supports funding of the Children’s Health Insurance Program through 2019; maintaining Medicaid coverage; increased access to affordable treatment and procedures; the expansion of telemedicine to include respiratory care; and improving students’ access to allergy and asthma care.
  • Federal programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) support asthma and allergy education and fund research. The Network supports continued funding for CDC’s National Asthma Control Program; EPA’s initiatives that address indoor and outdoor environmental factors that trigger asthma; and NIH research programs for allergy, asthma and related conditions.
  • More than 4,200 allergists nationally prepare and administer allergy immunotherapy extracts to their patients. U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) is proposing a change to Chapter 797 on sterile compounding to remove a special exception rule allowing allergists to prepare extracts in their office. This could result in millions losing access to immunotherapy. The Network supports maintaining the current USP rules for allergen extracts.

At the Congressional Briefing, Reps. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Gregg Harper (R-MS) and Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), co-chairs of the Congressional Asthma & Allergy Caucus, are scheduled to speak. James P. Kiley, PhD, director of the Division of Lung Diseases of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, will discuss the national asthma guidelines and Allen Meadows, MD, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Advocacy Council Chair, will address the state of asthma and allergy care in the United States.

AADCH concludes on Thursday evening with a networking reception at the Washington Court Hotel on Capitol Hill. During the reception, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will present the annual EPA National Environmental Leadership Awards in Asthma Management to three deserving programs.

Patients, families, healthcare professionals, advocates and industry partners are invited to participate in AADCH. Registration is free, but required. Visit www.AADCH2017.org.

In addition to the work asthma and allergy advocates will be doing on Capitol Hill, advocates and supporters across the country can participate virtually by contacting their elected officials on Facebook and Twitter and using the hashtag #AADCH2017.

Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill
Thursday, May 4, 2017

Schedule of Events

7:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Advocacy Training and Breakfast
Washington Court Hotel, Atrium Ballroom
525 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Prepare for Congressional visits and review policy priorities.

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Congressional Visits: Meet with members of Congress and their staff individually or in group meetings on Capitol Hill. (Allergy & Asthma Network advocacy staff will arrange meetings according to participants’ home districts.)

12 noon ET – 1:00 p.m.
Congressional Lunch Briefing
Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2045
75 C Street SW, Washington, DC
Hear from Congressional Asthma & Allergy Caucus leaders, patients and families, patient advocates and industry leaders on key issues addressing asthma and allergy. Free lunch provided. Speakers include:

• Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)
• Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS)
• Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH)
• James P. Kiley, PhD, Director of the Division of Lung Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and • Blood Institute.
• Allen Meadows, MD, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) Advocacy Council Chair
• Tonya Winders, President & CEO, Allergy & Asthma Network

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Networking Reception
Washington Court Hotel, Atrium Ballroom
Meet with fellow advocates, healthcare professionals and industry leaders in an informal gathering.

AADCH Sponsors

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; AstraZeneca; Boehringer Ingelheim; CHEST Foundation; Genentech; GlaxoSmithKline; Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Mylan Specialty LP; Novartis; Regeneron; Sanofi Genzyme; TEVA Respiratory