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Charmayne Anderson – Director of Advocacy

Allergy & Asthma Network is committed to leading efforts that bring an end to longstanding and emergent racial disparities affecting people with asthma, allergies and related conditions. This includes supporting the passage of bills that create access to quality healthcare and innovative treatments, along with providing a safe environment in which to live, work and play.

The Network advocates at the state and federal levels of government to:

  • Set limits on insurance companies; capping out of pocket costs for patients, ensuring that any copay assistance programs will apply to a patient’s deductible, and that patients have access to appropriate medications by establishing sensible guardrails around step therapy requirements.
  • Provide availability and accessibility to telehealth visits for those in rural areas or who have difficulty finding transportation in order to see their doctor.
  • Require accountability and transparency of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), the middlemen between drug manufacturers and insurance companies responsible for much of the current rise in drug prices.
  • Ensure that water systems in public schools are tested and free from bacterium Legionella, which can adversely affect patients with chronic respiratory conditions.
  • Authorize schools to stock albuterol for use by a trained employee or agent for emergency treatment of a student experiencing symptoms of respiratory distress.
  • Authorize public entities (e.g., restaurants, arenas, daycare facilities, etc.) to stock epinephrine auto-injectors for use by a trained employee for anaphylaxis emergencies.
  • Increase funding for health and research programs essential to improve the healthcare quality and safety for patients.
  • Decrease harmful air pollution and adhere to the best scientific evidence and the Clean Air Act to protect our most vulnerable patient population.

We are committed to raising awareness of health disparities through collaboration, education and advocacy so everyone who lives with asthma, allergies and related conditions has the opportunity to achieve their full health potential. Join our advocacy efforts!