The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) sent out this notice today:
The School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act (H.R. 2468) was introduced on May 2, 2019, in the U.S. House of Representatives, by House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) and Representative Dr. Phil Roe (R-TN). This bill was created to amend the Public Health Service Act. According to this act, states that require public schools to have asthma and allergy management programs would get preference for certain grants.
Schools will have a better chance of receiving grants if they have a comprehensive school-based asthma and allergy management program. The program would have to include:
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- Methods to identify all students who have allergies or asthma
- Individual student action plans
- Education for school staff
- Efforts to reduce environmental triggers
- Support for families managing asthma and allergies
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Schools must also have a school nurse or trained staff on site during operating hours to give medicines for both asthma and allergies.
A state can decide to not put this type of program in place. But the hope is that this bill will motivate states to pass these laws so they can get better access to grant money. These measures will help schools take better care of students with asthma and allergies. It also raises awareness that asthma needs treatment just like allergies. It will result in healthier and more productive students.