The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) recently joined the COPD Action Alliance, a national coalition dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) through education, collaboration, and policy advocacy. This partnership reflects AMWA’s broader commitment to addressing chronic disease through a women’s health lens and advancing equitable, patient-centered care.
As part of this collaboration, AMWA Executive Director Dr. Eliza Chin joined Alliance members on Capitol Hill to meet with congressional offices and advocate for key policy priorities. These included re-establishing a Congressional COPD Caucus and advancing the Safe Step Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at reforming insurance “step therapy” practices.
During the Hill visits, Dr. Chin emphasized both the growing impact of COPD on women and the real-world consequences of step therapy barriers. These barriers can delay access to appropriate treatment for patients while also increasing administrative burden for physicians—ultimately affecting the quality and timeliness of care.
AMWA’s participation in these advocacy efforts underscores its role as a national leader at the intersection of women and health. Through the COPD Action Alliance, AMWA brings an important perspective on how chronic disease affects women across the lifespan and the need for policies that reflect these differences.
