Seth Montague of the American Lung Association at OTC (3/29/2018)

Mission and Priorities

Seth Montague, the American Lung Association’s national director of corporate and foundation relations, described the organization’s mission: improving lung health and preventing lung disease. Its goals include defeating lung cancer, improving air quality, reducing the burden of lung disease, and eliminating tobacco use and related diseases.

The Association advocates at both the state and federal levels. Its federal priorities include:

• Funding medical research through the National Institutes of Health
• Protecting access to affordable health care for people with pre-existing conditions
• Advancing tobacco control and smoke-free environments
• Maintaining clean-air protections

Montague described the Association as nonpartisan. Its advocacy aims to inform decision-makers about the effects of policies on lung health and about the experiences of people in their districts—not to promote a political party’s agenda.

How Advocacy Works

Montague explained that lobbying combines policy requests with education. Meetings with lawmakers and their staff are often brief, so advocates introduce themselves, share a personal or community story, and make a clear request.

Staff members are important participants because they advise lawmakers and may later take on senior roles themselves. Advocacy can also happen through informal encounters—sometimes literally by delivering an “elevator speech.” Building relationships and communicating concisely can make advocacy more effective.

Mobilizing Constituents

The Association also mobilizes constituents. Montague cited an event that brought people affected by lung cancer from all 50 states to meet with their representatives and senators.

Volunteers receive advocacy training and may contact lawmakers, write letters to local newspapers, or speak to local officials. During funding debates, they can urge lawmakers to support research and oppose provisions that would restrict it. Montague encouraged people to contact their elected representatives, including when visiting Washington.

Engaging Government Agencies

Advocacy does not end with legislation. The Association also engages executive agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, to seek strong implementation and enforcement of laws, including clean-air protections.

Montague recommended the Lung Association’s website for resources, including its reports on air quality, tobacco control, and lung cancer.

Presenters and Contributors

• Seth Montague
• Andrew Crocker — interviewer and class instructor