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PRINTER'S NO. 1520
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
275
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY HANNA, TOOHIL, BIZZARRO, SCHLOSSBERG, SAINATO,
FREEMAN, LONGIETTI, MURT, HENNESSEY, CALTAGIRONE, DiGIROLAMO,
WATSON, MILLARD, NEILSON, KINSEY AND DeLUCA, APRIL 24, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 24, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing May 8, 2017, as "Bronchial Thermoplasty Awareness
Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, "Bronchial Thermoplasty Awareness Day" is organized
by Boston Scientific in collaboration with Allergy & Asthma
Network to raise awareness about severe asthma and improve
asthma care throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, This year is the second year that Boston Scientific
organized events and prepared and distributed materials and
resources about bronchial thermoplasty throughout the Capitol;
and
WHEREAS, Asthma is a common chronic disorder of the airways
that is complex and characterized by variable and recurring
symptoms, airflow obstruction, bronchial hyper-responsiveness
and an underlying inflammation; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 24 million Americans suffer from
asthma; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 3,400 people die from asthma every year; and
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WHEREAS, Bronchial thermoplasty is delivered by the Alair
System, the first therapeutic device approved by the Food and
Drug Administration in 2010 for adult patients with severe
uncontrolled asthma; and
WHEREAS, Bronchial thermoplasty targets smooth muscles in the
airway by delivering a controlled specific amount of thermal
energy to the airway wall through a dedicated catheter; and
WHEREAS, Candidates for bronchial thermoplasty include adults
with severe persistent asthma whose asthma is uncontrolled
despite adherence to regular maintenance medications; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 79% of patients who were treated with
bronchial thermoplasty reported a significant improvement in
their asthma-related quality of life; and
WHEREAS, Patients with severe asthma who were treated with
bronchial thermoplasty experienced a 32% decrease in severe
asthma attacks, an 84% reduction in asthma-related emergency
room visits and 66% fewer days lost from work, school and daily
activities due to asthma; and
WHEREAS, According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of
America, 5 of the top 50 most challenging places to live with
asthma are located in Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia,
Allentown, Pittsburgh, Scranton and Harrisburg; and
WHEREAS, Independence Blue Cross is the first insurance
provider in Pennsylvania to cover bronchial thermoplasty as
medically necessary for its severe asthmatic members and 1 of 18
insurance providers across the country; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize May 8,
2017, as "Bronchial Thermoplasty Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives call on all
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Pennsylvania licensed insurance companies to cover the procedure
of bronchial thermoplasty.
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