Press Release

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Jake Rubin 202.225.5665

DR.  KAGEN  IS  FIGHTING  TO  GUARANTEE  AFFORDABLE  HEALTH  CARE  FOR  PEOPLE  WITH  ASTHMA

Asthma affects over 22 million people in the United States

May 6, 2009

Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. is working hard to guarantee that those with asthma - or any pre-existing medical condition – receive access to affordable health care.  Kagen spoke this morning at Asthma Awareness Day on Capitol Hill.

“If you have any preexisting condition, whether its asthma, emphysema or sinus disease, you should not be denied access to the medical treatment you need,” said Kagen.

Congressman Kagen is triple Board Certified in Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Internal Medicine and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology.  Kagen is credited with having discovered many new causes of allergy and asthma and was named by Wisconsin physicians as one of the “Best Doctors in America.”

According to Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics, Asthma affects over 22 million people in the U.S and more than 70% of people with asthma also have allergies.  Ten people die of asthma every day and nearly all of these deaths are preventable.  The annual costs associated with treatment of asthma range from $20 billion to $37 billion yet poorly controlled symptoms cost more to treat than getting and keeping patients well.

Dr. Kagen has introduced the No Discrimination in Health Insurance Act which would bring an end to the discriminatory practice of allowing insurance companies to deny life-saving medical coverage to citizens due to any pre-existing medical conditions.