Hot Topic!

The School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act (S.1884 & H.R. 3627)…and what you can EASILY do

The basic scoop:   This bill encourages States to create law that allows schools to maintain “stock” epinephrine.  What this means to you and me is that a school would be able to keep epinephrine (an Epi Pen®) in their medicine cabinet along side bandages!  The epinephrine would be not prescribed for any particular student (or staff member) and would be available for all students if necessary.  It also calls for schools to permit personnel to administer epinephrine and release them of any liability!  In addition, States adopting such legislation will be given preference when applying for asthma related government grants (from the Department of Health and Human Services).  The use of epinephrine is not limited to food allergic reactions and encompasses all anaphylaxis and asthma events.

Click on this link and then type in the bill number you are searching for (i.e, S 1884 or HR 3627)

Why is this important to you and me:   It will saves lives plain and simple.   In an anaphylatic situation the ONLY solution is immediate administration of epinephrine.  Period.  We have no choices.  Very unfortunately, Ammaria Johnson is now a reason as to why this is important-see my blog about her Ammaria’s food allergic death on the first day of school after winter break.  As a parent of food allergic and asthmatic children, I need their school to have back-up medications in case my children’s auto-injectors fail, are administered wrong or worse yet, emergency services are delayed and additional doses are needed.

What’s the latest status of S.1884 & H.R. 3627:   Anytime you can visit the Library of Congress’ Thomas link.  This site, named after Thomas Jefferson allows you to search for a bill by name or number or look up any legislative information for free and on-line. I like to use this link to search for bill status and resolutions.   My current understanding (as of Jan. 3, 2012) of S.1884 & H.R. 3627′s status is:  that On Nov. 17, 2011, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced the bill (S.1884) in the Senate.  On Dec 8th, 2011, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) introduced the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act in the House (H.R.3627).  Several states, including Illinois and Georgia, have already passed similar laws.

Who has co-sponsored this bill on Capital Hill  (as of April 28, 2012):

In the House…

Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] – 1/31/2012
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] – 2/17/2012
Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7] – 3/27/2012
Rep Bucshon, Larry [IN-8] – 12/16/2011
Rep Burgess, Michael C. [TX-26] – 2/8/2012
Rep Butterfield, G. K. [NC-1] – 2/17/2012
Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] – 1/31/2012
Rep Connolly, Gerald E. “Gerry” [VA-11] – 12/12/2011
Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] – 1/31/2012
Rep DeGette, Diana [CO-1] – 3/19/2012
Rep DesJarlais, Scott [TN-4] – 2/6/2012
Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] – 4/24/2012
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] – 3/5/2012
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] – 4/27/2012
Rep Gosar, Paul A. [AZ-1] – 3/27/2012
Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] – 3/5/2012
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] – 3/29/2012
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] – 12/15/2011
Rep Hoyer, Steny H. [MD-5] – 12/8/2011
Rep Kissell, Larry [NC-8] – 2/27/2012
Rep Lance, Leonard [NJ-7] – 3/8/2012
Rep Loebsack, David [IA-2] – 1/23/2012
Rep Luetkemeyer, Blaine [MO-9] – 3/5/2012
Rep Lujan, Ben Ray [NM-3] – 3/5/2012
Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] – 1/17/2012
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] – 2/6/2012
Rep McKinley, David B. [WV-1] – 1/23/2012
Rep McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [WA-5] – 1/31/2012
Rep Moore, Gwen [WI-4] – 1/31/2012
Rep Noem, Kristi L. [SD] – 2/1/2012
Rep Olson, Pete [TX-22] – 4/24/2012
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] – 1/24/2012
Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] – 1/13/2012
Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4] – 2/17/2012
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] – 1/31/2012
Rep Sessions, Pete [TX-32] – 12/15/2011
Rep Thompson, Glenn [PA-5] – 2/14/2012
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] – 1/31/2012
Rep Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [FL-20] – 2/6/2012
Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] – 2/14/2012
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] – 2/6/2012

In the Senate…

Sen Alexander, Lamar [TN] – 11/30/2011
Sen Begich, Mark [AK] – 2/29/2012
Sen Bennet, Michael F. [CO] – 4/23/2012
Sen Blumenthal, Richard [CT] – 2/27/2012
Sen Burr, Richard [NC] – 1/31/2012
Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. [MD] – 2/17/2012
Sen Casey, Robert P., Jr. [PA] – 2/16/2012
Sen Chambliss, Saxby [GA] – 1/24/2012
Sen Cochran, Thad [MS] – 2/2/2012
Sen Corker, Bob [TN] – 12/8/2011
Sen Franken, Al [MN] – 3/5/2012
Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] – 3/26/2012
Sen Isakson, Johnny [GA] – 12/5/2011
Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] – 2/1/2012
Sen Kirk, Mark Steven [IL] – 11/17/2011
Sen Klobuchar, Amy [MN] – 1/31/2012
Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [NJ] – 1/24/2012
Sen Merkley, Jeff [OR] – 3/13/2012
Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] – 2/29/2012
Sen Rubio, Marco [FL] – 2/7/2012
Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] – 2/7/2012
Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] – 2/27/2012
Sen Shaheen, Jeanne [NH] – 3/8/2012
Sen Warner, Mark R. [VA] – 1/30/2012
Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon [RI] – 2/27/2012

Who endorses this bill:  The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, and the National Association of School Nurses.   In addition and of course, THE CHAMPION of the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act: the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.

The hard core details of the bill:   Here is the link for you to read H.R. 3627.  Or to read S.1884.

What you can do in your own State: Contact your Senator and ask them to co-sponsor and support S.1884. You can find your Senator at this US Senator Link.   Visit this link on How to Contact US Senators, it offers great information such as when you email a Senator to include your postal mailing address, etc.  Check out this FAAN sample letter S1884 written by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network and get inspired to write your own letter (see Talking Points and Tips below).

Talking Points and tips: Check out this list of Food Allergy Advocacy Talking Points (from FAAN).  I also make it a point to keep my letters short and sweet as our elected officials receive huge amounts of correspondence daily.  Most important, I let them know that as my representative, I need them to do XXXX and then I explain my personal situation and story. 

Hey Nevadans, this is what we are doing in these parts:  We will soon begin writing and calling Senator Dean Heller soon to encourage his co-sponsorship S.1884, but not yet as we are waiting for the Senate to return to session.  Recently, Maria Acebal, CEO of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network met with Dean Heller’s staff to explain the bill so when he returns to DC, they will be prepared to speak to him.