WASHINGTON – Representatives David G. Valadao (CA-22), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) introduced H.R. 5749, the Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act. This bipartisan legislation would expand federal, state, and local efforts to improve care for individuals with asthma.

“The San Joaquin Valley suffers from some of the worst air quality in the nation, and as a result we have one of the highest rates of child asthma,” said Congressman Valadao. “The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act is a critical step toward expanding access to care and improving the quality of life for people with asthma. As the co-chair of the Congressional Asthma and Allergy Caucus, I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this important legislation. I’ll continue working to ensure Valley families have access to the care they need.”  

“Michigan has one of the highest prevalence rates of asthma in the country, and action is needed to reduce the burden of this disease in my home state and across the country,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act will strengthen the public health response to this disease and help all Americans with this disease live healthier lives, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure this legislation becomes law.”

“Asthma is a widespread and costly disease that impacts over 25 million adults and children in the United States,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “It is past time for Congress to address asthma’s public health burden, which is why I am pleased to join my colleagues to introduce the Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act. This bipartisan legislation will help strengthen the public health response to asthma and improve care for individuals living with this debilitating disease.”

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act. This bill will help Delawareans across our state with asthma lead healthier and more productive lives,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “Expansion of the National Asthma Control Program will support the state in improving the quality of asthma care, improve asthma management in schools, foster policies to help reduce air pollution, and reduce disparities in the prevalence of asthma.”

The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act is a critical step towards improving the lives of millions of Americans living with asthma,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “This legislation not only acknowledges the profound impact of asthma on families but also provides a comprehensive framework to expand care, increase awareness, and reduce the burden of this chronic respiratory condition. Together, we can ensure that every person, regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic status, has access to the high-quality asthma care they need to breathe easier and live healthier lives."

“On behalf of the 27 million people with asthma in the United States, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is pleased to support the Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act. This legislation would allow the National Asthma Control Program (NACP) of the CDC to be expanded into all 50 states,” said Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. “This is just the type of proactive policy we recommend in our 2023 Asthma Capitals™ report. This program provides critical education and raises awareness of the burden of asthma. 10 people in America die each day from asthma and the condition carries a total economic cost of more than $80 billion a year. For every $1 invested in the NACP, the program saves $71 in healthcare costs. The Family Asthma Act will save lives, improve health outcomes, and provide a significant return on investment.”

“More than 25 million Americans – including 6 million children – live with asthma and 11 people die every day from the chronic disease. Many need support in managing their asthma and preventing flares,” said Lynda Mitchell, CEO of the Allergy & Asthma Network. “Federal, state and local asthma programs and health departments can play an integral role in developing strategies to reduce asthma triggers in communities. We urge support for the Elijah Cummings Family Asthma Act to expand the public health response to asthma nationwide through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Asthma Control Program. It takes all of us working together to ensure no more lives are needlessly lost to asthma. We can’t think of a more fitting tribute to the late Congressman Elijah Cummings than to see this important legislation become law.”

Background

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 25 million people, including over 5 million children, live with asthma in the United States. In California’s Central Valley, more than five hundred thousand people suffer from asthma, and one in six Valley children have the disease – the highest rate of asthma among adolescents of any region in California and one of the highest rates of any region in the nation.

The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act would:

• Expand CDC’s National Asthma Control Program to all 50 states
• The National Asthma Control Program assists health departments across the country to ensure the availability of and access to guidelines-based medical management and pharmacotherapy for all people with asthma to address the public health burden of the disease
• Direct CDC to collaborate with state and local health departments to provide information and education to the public regarding asthma
• Require states to develop plans around public health responses to asthma, particularly for disproportionately affected populations, and mandates the collection and coordination of data on the impact of asthma

You can read the full text of the bill here. 

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