asthma; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 3,400 people die from asthma every year; and
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 airway smooth muscles
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, Seventy-nine percent 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 this Commonwealth, including Philadelphia,
Allentown, Pittsburgh, Scranton and Harrisburg; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize May 2,
2016, as "Bronchial Thermoplasty Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives call on all
Pennsylvania-licensed insurance companies to cover the procedure
of bronchial thermoplasty.
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