Congressional Allergy and Asthma Caucus Briefing on Cost Benefits of NIH Guideline-Level Care

Just returned from an impressive briefing of the Congressional Allergy and Asthma Caucus convened by Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics.  Representatives from NIH and CDC stressed the importance of implementing evidence-based, comprehensive asthma mangement programs that include tailored environmental interventions and are consisent with NAEPP's national guidelines.  Karen Meyerson, Manager of Asthma Network of West Michigan, demonstrated how her EPA award-winning program model, which receives reimbursement from five managed care organizations in Michigan, has resulted in dramatic reductions in ED visits, hospitalizations and overall costs for the people with asthma that they serve.  (You can read more about her program on this site.)

Most inspiring was Representative Bill Cassidy from Louisiana discussing the obligation the government has to patients, communities and the country to connect programs and services through partnerships so that successful programs like the Asthma Network of West Michigan can be replicated.  He also spoke of the importance of coalitions, school-based asthma clinics and cost-effective, real world implementation of successful models.

Representative Nita Lowey of New York, echoed his remarks and added that in this trying economic climate, we need to invest early to save health care costs later.  She also called for those who are working to reduce the burden of asthma at the community level to be proactive in encouraging their representatives to join the Congressional Caucus.