2007 Public Policy Priorities

Reducing Global Warming | Diesel Pollution Reduction, Port Fees for Air Quality Mitigation | Asthma Funding | Tuberculosis Control Funding | Tobacco Tax

Reducing Global Warming Pollution

The American Lung Association of California will play an active role in the implementation of Assembly Bill 32, landmark legislation passed in 2006 that establishes a statewide cap on greenhouse gas emissions in California . AB 32 addresses global warming that is expected to worsen smog and smog related health impacts including asthma attacks, hospitalizations and emergency room visits for lung illnesses and premature deaths. Under AB 32, The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is responsible for tracking emissions of greenhouse gases, developing a plan to achieve 25% reduction by 2020 and adopting the various regulations that will drive California toward meeting the goals of the legislation. In addition to AB 32 implementation, the lung association will support efforts to establish a “low carbon fuel standard” that limits the greenhouse gas equivalent emissions from transportation fuels and fosters the development and usage of alternative fuels. The lung association will also support other legislative efforts to promote alternative fuels and vehicles to achieve air quality and greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Implementation of AB 32 has already begun and advocacy groups are organized to keep a high level of pressure on policy makers and regulators. The American Lung Association of California will continue participating in the ongoing work of the Global Warming Action Coalition to guide implementation of the new law and to continue its leadership role in organizing health organizations in support of strong global warming regulatory efforts to reduce related lung health impacts.

Diesel Pollution Reduction, Port Fees for Air Quality Mitigation

Traffic through ports is expected to triple by 2020, increasing the already major air pollution impacts of ports on surrounding communities as well as regional and state air quality. Diesel pollution is linked to lung illnesses, premature death and slowed lung development in children The American Lung Association of California will actively support legislation to establish new fees on containers processed through major California ports in order to fund diesel pollution reduction programs and reduce diesel related lung health impacts. . The lung association will actively advocate for regulatory and legislative measures that continue California ’s commitment to reduce public exposure to diesel pollution.

The American Lung Association of California will continue its leadership role in statewide efforts to control diesel pollution from trucks, transit buses, school buses and off-road equipment at the Legislature and California Air Resources Board. The American Lung Association’s 2006 State of the Air Report focused on the need to clean up the country’s ports, which have some of the highest emitting diesel operations, including trucks, port equipment and ships. Legislation to adopt a port container fee was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2006 but will be reintroduced in the 2006-7 session by Senator Lowenthal

The American Lung Association of California will also support legislative efforts to place conditions on the expenditure of transportation bond funding passed by the voters in November 2006, including establishing criteria and priorities for bond fund expenditure for air quality projects at ports and goods movement sources and for school bus replacement to ensure funded projects achieve the best possible health and air quality benefits. Lastly, the American Lung Association of California will support adoption of two controversial diesel control measures before CARB in 2007, which together will require the replacement and retrofit of off-road (construction equipment)) and on-road (truck) engines. Together, these proposed regulations would cover 60 percent of diesel pollution sources in the state.

Asthma Funding

The American Lung Association of California will support budget and legislative strategies to ensure long-term funding for asthma programs administered by the California Department of Health Services (DHS). The American Lung Association of California will also explore legislative and budget options for policy changes in health care financing that would lead to the provision of comprehensive asthma services, especially for children with asthma.

For the past two years, the Legislature has appropriated $3 million from the Proposition 99 Unallocated Account to support these DHS asthma programs. While the funding is critical, this approach to financing important asthma programs on a one-time-only basis funding through the budget process leaves no guarantee for long-term support. Separate and distinct from program funding, there is a growing interest by state asthma advocates, community organizations and the California Endowment to find a long-term solution to financing comprehensive asthma services, especially for children with asthma. The comprehensive approach could include a health team approach and home visits for children with the most severe asthma. A reimbursement plan is the most effective way to ensure that these services would be provided, not a simple task because of the complexities of our health care system, and state and federal health systems.

Tuberculosis Control Funding

The American Lung Association of California will advocate for increased funding for tuberculosis control efforts at the state level through budget and/or legislative efforts.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control has announced its intention of reducing TB funding to the states by as much as 12 percent over the next year, and existing state resources have not grown for several years in order to meet new challenges in TB control. Although TB cases dropped nearly three percent nationwide and in California, there were increases in cases in 23 local California areas and California continues to report the highest number of TB cases in the United States.

Tobacco Tax

The American Lung Association of California will advocate for an increase in the state tobacco tax to enhance funding for state tobacco prevention and control programs, as well as disease prevention, treatment and research. In addition, the American Lung Association of California will also continue to explore the potential of a statewide tobacco tax initiative for the 2008 ballot.

California ’s tobacco tax remains relatively low, ranking at 26 th in the nation, and, at $.87/pack, is now below the national average of $1.00. California ’s tobacco control program is funded at far below the minimum recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The gradual decline in Proposition 99 tobacco tax revenues over the past 18 years has taken its toll on the state’s ability to adequately address tobacco and counter-attack tobacco industry strategies. In September, the California Department of Health Services reported that youth smoking had gone up -- increasing 15 percent by high school students and 50 percent by middle school students.