Legislative goals for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Policy issues and a call to action

The COPD community has experienced success on a number of policy initiatives, however significant challenges remain as fully half the individuals with COPD are undiagnosed and therefore untreated. COPD needs to gain greater recognition by policymakers to expand the Federal and State involvement. In response, the COPD Foundation and US COPD Coalition have developed draft legislation for the 112th Congress. The legislation specifically fills gaps in the federal response and does not duplicate efforts or policies that have been prioritized by Coalition members. The presenter will discuss federal legislative goals and the role of State Coalitions, advocates and the public health sector. The Coalitions draft legislation increases coordination across multiple federal agencies, such as CDC, NIH, FDA, the VA and CMS. More resources are needed—research, prevention, public health interventions, clinical services and community programs—to lessen the incidence and impact of this disease.

The legislation establishes a national action plan to address COPD. The plan is to be developed by CDC in coordination with ten other federal agencies with input from patients, caregivers, health professionals, researchers and patient advocacy groups. The intent of this session is to stimulate more effort from the public health community to increase synergies. The Coalition has a call to action to broaden national prevention activities for COPD including better public education and improved public health interventions that stimulate earlier diagnosis and improve patient. Better outreach is also needed to populations and individuals at-risk for COPD from tobacco and non-tobacco causes: environmental, occupational, biological and genetic causes.