The American Lung Association recognizes that public policy change – legislation and regulation – at all levels of government is key to achieving its mission: To save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.

The American Lung Association advocacy program supports government, corporate and community policies to translate that mission into reality. The Public Policy Agenda for the 112th Congress identifies major legislative and regulatory issues where the American Lung Association has demonstrated leadership or can show leadership in the future. These issues are identified because there should be opportunities for the American Lung Association to move the issue forward over the next two calendar years or the importance of the issue to the mission of the American Lung Association compels us to begin the work to build to the point where we can see results.

The Public Policy Agenda is designed to highlight the top priorities for the American Lung Association’s federal advocacy. State and local advocacy efforts will continue with full support from the National Headquarters. The American Lung Association Public Policy Positions provide a complete description of the public policy goals of the American Lung Association.

POLICY PRIORITIES

The public policy priorities for the 112th Congress are:

• Secure full funding and aggressive implementation of U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority over the manufacture, sale, distribution, labeling, marketing and promotion of tobacco products;
• Increase or maintain funding for tobacco control programs, including prevention, education and cessation, and full coverage for cessation services under Medicaid and Medicare;
• Defend and strengthen the Clean Air Act and its health-based National Ambient Air Quality Standards to protect the health of all including populations most at risk;
• Reduce air pollution from mobile, stationary and area sources, including cars, trucks and diesel engines, power plants and industry;
• Increase or maintain funding for research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cures for all lung diseases including asthma, COPD, lung cancer and tuberculosis;
• Increase or maintain funding for lung-related behavioral and environmental research and research training;
• Support universal access to quality health care services, including preventive care, appropriate specialty care, patient education and chronic disease management; Coverage must be consistent with evidence-based guidelines;
• Secure federal support for the Asthma Clinical Research Centers; and
• Increase or maintain funding for lung disease surveillance, prevention and wellness, public health infrastructure and health programs related to the lung, including preparation for an influenza pandemic.