Good news is awesome, great news is even better!

Lots to report today and all of it is good!

First off the CDC has come out with voluntary guidelines for schools that are dealing with food allergies, which is really every school I am sure.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foodallergies/

More good news!

The stock epi bill has moved to the Senate! I hope that it passes quickly, makes it to the President's desk, and is signed into law! The following is an email that went out from FARE,food allergy research and education.



Federal "Stock" Epinephrine Bill Moves in Senate

Dear FARE Supporter, 

It is rare that we send you two food allergy announcements in one day, but today has been a truly remarkable one for the food allergy community. 

This morning, we announced the release of the CDC’s new national guidelines for food allergy management in schools.

We are also pleased to inform you that federal legislation to encourage schools to maintain a supply of “stock” epinephrine auto-injectors cleared yet another major hurdle! The School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act was approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee and will now move to the full Senate for a vote. Sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), the bill provides an incentive to encourage states to require “stock” epinephrine auto-injectors in their schools -- meaning epinephrine that is not prescribed to a specific student but can be used for any student or staff member in an anaphylactic emergency. Four states have already passed laws ensuring that epinephrine is available in all schools, and many others allow schools to stock epinephrine, but do not require it.

Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) has been working tirelessly toward the passage of this critical legislation for the last two years. The food allergy community and FARE have overwhelmingly supported this and similar state legislation across the country. Since the introduction of the federal bill on May 22 in the House of Representatives by Reps. Phil Roe (R-TN) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD), FARE has been working closely with the bill sponsors, meeting with legislators on Capitol Hill to build support, soliciting endorsements from other organizations and issuing action alerts to advocates across the country. These efforts helped assure passage in the House on July 30 and generated 37 cosponsors in the Senate in less than two months. Last year’s federal stock epinephrine legislation did not move out of committee, so we are strongly encouraged by the swift movement of this year’s bill.

The School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act is endorsed by FARE, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics. Since the Senate legislation is identical to that passed by the House, no reconciliation is required. FARE is encouraging the Senate to quickly pass the legislation and forward for President Obama’s signature.