American Lung Association Honors Congresswoman Barbara Lee with Lung Health Hero Award

Today, the American Lung Association awarded its Lung Health Hero Award to Rep. Barbara Lee of California. The award, presented during the Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day, recognizes Rep. Lee’s strong leadership in preventing lung disease and improving lung health for millions of Americans.

"Representative Barbara Lee brings bold leadership and an unwavering commitment to preventing lung disease and protecting those who are living with lung disease,” said American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold Wimmer.  "The Lung Association is honored to recognize her with our Lung Health Hero Award."

Representative Lee represents California’s 13th Congressional District and serves on the Budget Committee and the Appropriations Committee. In Congress she has been a consistent and tireless advocate for research and public health programs aimed at improving lung health, and for reducing health disparities. Rep. Lee has also been an important champion for protecting patients with pre-existing conditions and ensuring access to quality and affordable healthcare. Like far too many families, Congresswoman Lee has been personally affected by lung disease: she lost her mother to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“As we move forward in our fight for better access to high-quality, affordable healthcare, we cannot lose sight of the real human impact of these policies,” Rep. Lee said. “Pre-existing conditions and lung health affect millions of families around the country, including mine. I am honored to receive the Lung Health Hero Award from the American Lung Association, and will continue working to ensure that all Americans can get the healthcare they need to live a full, healthy life.”

The award was presented today in Washington, D.C., when LUNG FORCE Heroes – those whose lives have been impacted by lung cancer – gathered with the American Lung Association during LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day. Advocates shared with members of Congress how lung cancer has impacted their lives, and asked members to protect healthcare for people with pre-existing conditions and to support $41.6 billion for the National Institutes of Health in Fiscal Year 2020 so there can be better treatments and improved methods of early detection for lung cancer.