May 25, 2012

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), and the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (JCAAI) are pleased to submit this joint response to the Committee’s letter of April 27, 2012. The AAAAI, ACAAI and JCAAI are the three national physician allergy and immunology organizations representing 4,700 allergists and immunologists in the United States. Our members are all physicians who first complete training and board-certification in the primary care specialties of internal medicine or pediatrics. They then complete additional specialized training in allergy and immunology before being eligible for board-certification in the allergy and immunology subspecialty. Thus, our physician members all have solid training in primary care before becoming specialists in the treatment of asthma and allergic diseases. We are the premier specialty in the care and treatment of individuals with asthma, allergic rhinitis and other allergic diseases.