Relates to including diagnosis of asthma or other respiratory diseases for which rescue inhaler treatment is prescribed in the statewide immunization information system.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A6594
SPONSOR: Reyes TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to including diagno-
sis of asthma or other respiratory diseases for which rescue inhaler
treatment is prescribed in the statewide immunization information system
PURPOSE::
To insure that centralized information related to immunizations and
blood lead levels available to schools, child care providers and camps,
also includes information on whether a child under 19 years of age has
been diagnosed with asthma or other respiratory diseases for which
rescue inhaler treatment is prescribed.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section 1 of the bill amends various parts of Section 2168 of the public
health law to update the statewide immunization information system to
Collect reports of asthma or other respiratory disease diagnosis for
which rescue inhaler treatment is prescribed by a health care provider
so that this information is available to schools, day care providers,and
camps.
Section 2 provides.an effective date.
EXISTING LAW:
Section 2168 of the public health law establishes the statewide immuni-
zation information system and also includes information on blood lead
level analysis.
JUSTIFICATION::
Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs that causes wheezing, breath-
lessness, chest tightness, and coughing. When not well-controlled asthma
can greatly limit a person's quality of life and even result in death.
In 2015, an estimated 1.5 million adults and over 400,000 children had
Asthma in New York. Disparities in the rate of asthma persist among
racial and ethnic groups, and residents of the Bronx are suffering from
asthma at far higher rates than other areas of the state.
The Senate. Health and Environmental Conservation Committees held a
Roundtable Discussion in the Bronx on Asthma in NoveMber of 2019. The
discussion was focused on school children with asthma and how several
key changes could make all the difference. Including information on
which children have been diagnosed with asthma or other respiratory
diseases in the statewide immunization registry, as this proposal does,
was among several recommendations made by the participants at the
Roundtable. With this information schools can be better prepared to
assist children in managing their asthma.
The statewide immunization information system is currently used to
record and confirm immunizations and lead blood level analysis so that
schools, day cares, and camps have this important information. Knowing
that a child has asthma or another respiratory diseases for which a
rescue inhaler treatment is prescribed is vital so that the places
charged with taking care of children are aware and prepared to help
manage any problems that may arise. Currently schools require parents to
get doctor's orders signed and put on file with the school. Streamlining
this process and centralizing the information, as the state has with
immunizations and blood lead level analysis, will help ensure children's
asthma conditions are known and better managed.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
2020 - Referred to Health
2021-2022 - Referred to Health
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
Minimal cost as the registry already exists and savings to the state
Medicaid program are anticipated as better care coordination for
students is achieved.
EFFECTIVE DATE::
Immediately.
