Welcome to Hawaii COPD Coalition Homepage!
This site will share resources available on COPD. Browse around and visit often as we will be regularly adding to and updating our website. Your thoughts and comments are welcome!
What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, "COPD," is a serious lung disease that makes breathing difficult. It is most often characterized by shortness of breath and a persistent cough. It includes both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD has risen to the third leading cause of death and second leading cause of disability with an estimated 24 million people living with COPD in the United States. Over 30,000 Hawaii adults have already been diagnosed with COPD. Those over the age of 40 with a history of smoking are particularly at risk, however 1 in 6 people with COPD have never smoked. The best treatment for COPD is to stop smoking and avoid exposure to all lung irritants, including any form of smoke.
| Actions You Can Take to Help COPD Now |
2012 Legislation - Current Bill, SB2106 will require health insurers to provide outpatient prescription coverage and prohibit them from requiring coinsurance for cost sharing with the insured for drug benefits. There are many patients who would have to shoulder significant out-of-pocket drug costs unless this bill is enacted.Call your legislature and the House Finance Committee to ask them to support this crucial bill, SB2106 in its original form. WE NEED ALL HAWAII CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ON COPD CAUCUS! |
