Tomorrow: Iowa Health Advocates to gather at the State Capitol to Promote Lung Health Policies

Advocacy Day kicks off at the Iowa Capitol tomorrow, February 7.

Lung health advocates from across the state will meet with lawmakers to push and promote lung health policies in Iowa.

The group will gather in the Capitol Rotunda around 8am then meet with more than a dozen lawmakers to discuss lung health policies.

“The American Lung Association is proud to support lung health advocates in Iowa gathered at the Statehouse to urge their legislators to take bold action to support healthcare access for chronic disease patients, protect the state’s longstanding Tobacco Prevention Commission, adequately fund the state’s tobacco control program and modernize the Smokefree Air Act,” said Kristina Hamilton, Iowa advocacy director for the Lung Association. “We know that these actions will improve lung health and save lives in Iowa.”

They advocates will focus on four 2024 legislative priorities for the state in effort to help the more than 375,000 Iowans living with lung disease.

They include:

1. Expand Biomarker Testing Insurance Coverage – Advocacy Day Ask: For Senators to vote ‘yes’ on SF 2159, which would ensure all medical plans in Iowa cover biomarker testing.
    
2. Protect Iowa’s Tobacco Prevention & Control Commission – Advocacy Day Ask: For all State Lawmakers to support maintaining the existence of the Tobacco Commission and not eliminate or merge it under a proposed larger Health Council.
    
3. Increase State Funding for Tobacco Prevention & Control Program Advocacy Day Ask: For all State Lawmakers to support restoring state funding for tobacco prevention programs to $12.8 million, which was the level of funding in 2008. The funding level is currently $4.2M.
    
4. Modernize the Smokefree Air Act - Advocacy Day Ask: For Representatives to pass HF 364, which would prohibit the use of vapor products (e-cigarettes) in indoor public places. We are also asking for HF 364 to be amended to prohibit smoking/vaping in Iowa commercial casinos.
    

Media is invited to attend the event and interviews with members of the Iowa advocate group please contact Kristina Hamilton at (301) 257-7283 or via email at [email protected]

Get involved and help the mission of American Lung Association. The Fight For Air Climb Des Moines is coming up on April 7. Learn more at FightForAirCllimb.org/DesMoines.