Allergy and asthma patients are organizing a coordinated push for federal policy changes aimed at making medications more affordable and ensuring emergency responders are trained to handle severe allergic reactions. On May 6, 2026, more than 100 advocates from across the country will meet with members of Congress during the 29th annual Allergy and Asthma Day on Capitol Hill (AADCH) to advance legislation that could directly impact how people access and pay for allergy treatments.

What's Driving This Advocacy Push Right Now?

The timing of this year's Capitol Hill event coincides with World Asthma Day and National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month in May. The overarching theme, "The Prescription for Progress: Bridging the Gap in Patient Affordability and Access," reflects a growing frustration among patients and families who struggle to afford the medications they need. Rising prescription drug costs have become a significant barrier to care, leaving many people unable to fill prescriptions or forced to skip doses to stretch their supply.

Behind this advocacy movement is a new infrastructure designed to amplify patient voices. The Allergy and Asthma Network (AAN) launched the Patient Advocacy Leadership Initiative (PALI) in 2025, a national program that trains patients and caregivers to become effective policy advocates. This year marks the first AADCH since PALI's launch, reflecting the organization's expanded commitment to building grassroots advocacy momentum from the ground up.

Which Four Bills Are Advocates Pushing Congress to Pass?

Advocates will urge Congress to advance four key pieces of legislation during the Capitol Hill event. Each bill addresses a specific gap in how allergy patients access care and medications:

• Safe Step Act: This legislation would reform step therapy protocols, which are insurance company requirements that patients try cheaper medications first before gaining access to the treatment their doctor prescribed. Advocates argue these delays can be dangerous for people with severe allergies.
• HELP Copays Act: This bill would count copay assistance programs toward out-of-pocket cost limits, making it easier for patients to meet their deductibles and access medications without bearing the full financial burden.
• Gio's Law: Named after a teenager who died from anaphylaxis while on vacation, this legislation aims to strengthen emergency response protocols for severe allergic reactions by ensuring first responders are trained and equipped to recognize and respond to anaphylaxis immediately.
• One School One Nurse Act: This bill addresses the national shortage of school nurses, who play a critical role in managing student allergies and responding to emergencies during the school day.

The push for Gio's Law carries particular emotional weight. Georgina Cornago, the mother of Giovanni Cipriano who died from an anaphylactic reaction in 2013, will receive the Allergy and Asthma Network's inaugural Clarion for Policy Impact Award for her leadership in advancing emergency preparedness legislation.

"No family should ever experience what we did. Gio's Law is about ensuring that first responders are trained and equipped to recognize and respond to anaphylaxis immediately. When epinephrine is available and given in time, lives can be saved. If this law can save even one life, then Giovanni's legacy will be one of protection and hope for families everywhere," said Georgina Cornago.

Georgina Cornago, Advocate and Mother of Giovanni Cipriano

How Are Advocates Being Trained to Make Their Case More Effectively?

The Patient Advocacy Leadership Initiative equips patients and caregivers with specific skills to become trusted voices in policy discussions. Through the Social Advocate Summit, which launches the multi-day Capitol Hill initiative, participants learn how to combat misinformation, share their personal stories effectively, and engage as credible advocates across digital and policy platforms.

This training approach recognizes that personal stories carry significant weight in shaping policy. The Allergy and Asthma Network explicitly encourages patients and families to share their experiences with members of Congress, as these narratives play a critical role in helping lawmakers understand the real-world impact of current policies and the urgent need for change.

Beyond in-person advocacy, the organization has created a virtual engagement pathway. Patients and caregivers nationwide can participate through the Allergy and Asthma Network's Take Action platform, which allows people to contact their representatives even if they cannot travel to Washington, D.C. .

"For nearly four decades, Allergy and Asthma Network has translated patient experience into policy action. With the launch of PALI, we are strengthening that impact, equipping advocates with the skills and the platform to drive sustained, meaningful change," explained Nissa Shaffi, head of policy and advocacy.

Nissa Shaffi, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Allergy and Asthma Network

Why Does This Matter for Allergy Patients Right Now?

The convergence of rising drug costs, insurance barriers, and school nurse shortages has created a perfect storm for allergy patients. People living with food allergies, seasonal allergies, and severe reactions like anaphylaxis depend on reliable access to medications like antihistamines, epinephrine auto-injectors, and immunotherapy treatments. When insurance companies delay access through step therapy, or when patients cannot afford copays, the consequences can range from poorly controlled symptoms to life-threatening emergencies.

The Allergy and Asthma Network, founded in 1985, has positioned itself as the leading nonprofit organization advancing patient-centered research and advocacy for people living with asthma, allergies, and related conditions. The organization's mission centers on improving health outcomes, access to care, education, and treatments that lead to better quality of life.

This year's advocacy push represents a shift toward more coordinated, grassroots pressure on federal lawmakers. Rather than relying solely on organizational leadership to lobby Congress, the network is mobilizing trained patient advocates who can speak from lived experience. This approach has proven effective in other health advocacy campaigns, where personal testimony often resonates more powerfully with policymakers than statistics alone.