Allergy & Asthma Day on Capitol Hill

Allergy & Asthma Network invites patients, families, caregivers, health professionals and industry partners from across the country to join us for Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill (AADCH) in Washington, DC.

During AADCH, advocates visit Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staff to…

• Discuss federal legislative and regulatory issues.

• Share personal stories of managing their condition.

• Urge passage of legislation affecting people with asthma, allergies, and related conditions.

Our advocates represent the patient voice at these meetings to ensure their needs are addressed in legislation.

In addition, Allergy & Asthma Network hosts a Congressional Lunch Briefing on Capitol Hill, one of the signature events of AADCH. Members of Congress are often in attendance to speak about asthma, allergies, and other health issues, and to support our policy priorities.

Invited speakers at the Congressional Lunch Briefing have represented:

• Congressional Asthma and Allergy Caucus

• American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI)

• Alliance for Patient Access (AfPA)

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

• Healthcare professionals

• Patient testimonials

Highlights from May 7, 2025 AADCH:

• 100+ advocates attended in person and participated in 130 meetings with members of Congress on May 8.

• 436 advocates participated in our online campaign, sending 1,538 emails to members of Congress on May 7-12.

• Our 2025 Policy Priorities included:

1. 1. Improve access to safe and effective medical care and treatment.
   2. Continue asthma and allergy funding for programs supported by federal agencies.
   3. Reduce health risks for asthma and severe allergy emergencies.
   4. Reduce environmental health hazards to support lung health.

• Advocates urged members of Congress to support 4 key bills: Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act; HELP Copays Act; One School One Nurse Act; Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act.

• Advocates called for the U.S. Centers for the restoration of the National Asthma Control Program at CDC, emphasizing its role in saving lives.

• At the Congressional Lunch Briefing, advocates heard from the Congressional Asthma & Allergy Caucus. Allergists and patient advocates held a roundtable to discuss the need for pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. They highlighted the need for greater PBM transparency and to rein in practices like spread pricing, overuse of prior authorizations, and step therapy that delay care.