TOP NEWS
New Law Caps Medicare Prescription Drug Costs at $2,000 — We’re working to educate Medicare beneficiaries and healthcare providers on a new law that goes into effect on January 1, 2025, ensuring that people enrolled in Medicare Part D pay no more than $2,000 a year for prescription medications. In addition, seniors who opt into a new payment plan during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 through December 7) can pay the $2,000 in monthly payments spread out over the year. The payment plan may be beneficial, depending on medication costs and when they occur throughout the year. The Medicare prescription drug cap is part of a new law, strongly supported by the American Lung Association, that also includes clean air, climate and other health-improving initiatives. Visit Lung.org to learn more.
World Oxygen Day Underscores Urgent Need for Oxygen Reform — Earlier this month, in honor of World Oxygen Day, 16 leading patient, provider and professional organizations called on Congress to pass the Supplemental Oxygen Reform (SOAR) Act. This pivotal legislation seeks to ensure that individuals enrolled in Medicare who rely on supplemental oxygen can access the type and level of oxygen they need to live full and healthy lives. This includes lighter, liquid oxygen which is currently unavailable to Medicare patients. Please join us in asking Congress to pass Supplemental Oxygen Reform.
SUPPORT THE LUNG ASSOCIATION
Find a Fall LUNG FORCE Event Near You — LUNG FORCE Walks and Run/Walks — supporting our lung cancer education, advocacy and research programs — are scheduled throughout the country in October and November. Register today for a LUNG FORCE Walk or Run/Walk near you.
PATIENT SUPPORT
Learn About Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) This Month — Each year in October, we recognize RSV Awareness Month, a great time to learn about risk factors and prevention options to help protect you and your family from severe RSV illness, a common respiratory virus that can affect people of all ages. Typically, RSV causes mild symptoms, like the common cold, but for some, it can be dangerous. Fortunately, RSV immunization options are available to help prevent serious illness in infants, adults aged 75+ and adults aged 60-74 with certain chronic medical conditions or risk factors. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if an RSV vaccination is recommended for you and your family. The Lung Association has resources to help you learn more about RSV:
New Resource from the American Lung Association: Spirometry 101—What Primary Care Needs to Know —We’re excited to introduce our NEW, FREE mini-byte lesson. In 15 minutes, learn the essentials of spirometry, the gold standard for diagnosing asthma and COPD. This quick lesson covers how to:
- Use objective testing for accurate diagnoses
- Confirm test validity and repeatability
- Interpret results and apply them to patient care
ADVOCACY
Ask Congress to Permanently Extend Premium Tax Credits — Healthcare premium tax credits, which allow millions of individuals in the U.S. to access quality, affordable health coverage, are set to expire, resulting in five million enrollees losing coverage through Health Insurance Marketplace coverage.
Climate Change is Here: We Need to Help Communities! — From wildfires, extreme heat waves and destructive storms, the impacts of climate change are putting people’s health at risk in communities nationwide. To reverse this trend, we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We also need to adapt to the health impacts that are already here. Unfortunately, we’re already falling behind. Please join us in asking Congress to invest in measures to safeguard communities from the impacts of climate change to protect everyone’s health
EACH BREATH BLOG
Looking to Purchase an Electronic Vehicle? You may be Eligible for Cost Incentives — We know that electronic vehicles benefit the climate, air quality and lung health. In our new blog, “Another Great Reason You Should Consider an Electric Vehicle,” we also highlight the federal, state and local financial incentives available to electronic vehicle purchasers, making these cars more affordable. These include federal tax credits—up to $7,500 for income-eligible purchasers—and a new eligible dealer program, starting this year, providing a $4,000 tax credit. Visit Lung.org/ev to learn more about the benefits of owning and driving an electronic vehicle.
The Right Air Cleaner Can Help Protect You, Your Family from Wildfire Smoke — Climate change is making smoke events more frequent and severe, exposing more people to harmful air pollution. Smoke from wildfires contains fine particles, also known as ‘soot,' that can travel deep into the lungs, crossing the bloodstream and causing a range of adverse health effects from respiratory and cardiovascular harm to adverse birth outcomes and even early death. Our new blog, “How to Choose a Safe and Effective Air Cleaner to Protect Your Health from Wildfire Smoke,” provides tips for choosing an effective air cleaner that will best suit your needs.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
For more than 120 years, we’ve been making an impact and saving lives. We’re here to serve the more than 35 million people living in the U.S. with lung disease through our trusted education, advocacy and research programs. Thank you for all you do to help us all breathe easier!
Visit Lung.org/get-involved to learn more about how you can make a difference.
Blog last updated: October 14, 2024
