Your voice is needed. Our lawmakers gain a greater understanding of how their decisions impact lung health when they hear from the people and families from their communities.
By joining with us, you can have a positive and lasting impact that improves the lives of people living with COPD, asthma, lung cancer, and other lung conditions that can make breathing difficult!
There are many lung health policy issues that RHA is addressing at the municipal level. Local health policy efforts can be of great importance, as they are very often crucial building blocks towards statewide laws. For example, the statewide Smoke-free Illinois Act would not have been possible if not for passionate advocacy at the local level first.
Speaking face-to-face with your elected officials is an impactful way to convey the importance of lung health policies. RHA’s policy staff will work with you to schedule an in-person meeting close to home at your legislators’ local offices.
Each spring, Respiratory Health Association hosts a group trip to the state capitol in Springfield and to the local offices of members of Congress to advocate for lung health.
During our State Lung Health Education Day, participants have the opportunity to share RHA’s policy agenda and stimulate discussion on policies impacting lung health.
Federal policies can have a big impact on local lung health, but you don’t have to travel to Washington D.C. to meet in-person with your congressmen. RHA will help convene a face-to-face visit with your congressman in his or her in-district office in your community.
On previous occasions, RHA staff and groups of volunteers have traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate for federal lung health policies. These visits are contingent upon funding and sufficient volunteer interest, so they may not occur every year.
If you are interested in learning more or getting help connecting with lawmakers, contact Kelly Nichols, Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator at knichols@resphealth.org.