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.

It passed in the House!

First off, let me say thank you to all of you. I am over 3,000 page views! Thanks for reading and for sharing the blog, I am grateful.



Here's some amazing news! Onto the Senate now!

U.S. House of Representatives Passes School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act
Legislation Could Save Lives in Schools Nationwide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

McLean, Va. (July 30, 2013) - The U.S. House of Representatives voted Tuesday to approve the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act (H.R. 2094), important legislation championed by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) that will help protect students with food allergies.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD), encourages states to adopt laws requiring schools to have on hand “stock” epinephrine auto-injectors, which is epinephrine that is not prescribed to a specific student but can be used for any student or staff member in an anaphylactic emergency. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and can be fatal.

“We applaud the House for recognizing the need for schools to be prepared to protect students with life-threatening food allergies by passing this legislation, and we thank Dr. Roe and Rep. Hoyer for their unequivocal support,” said John L. Lehr, chief executive officer of FARE. “This is a tremendous victory, but we still have work to do to enact this legislation. We look forward to working with our champions in the Senate, Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL), so that this legislation can be approved and sent to the President for signature.”

About half of states have laws or guidelines in place allowing schools to stock undesignated epinephrine auto-injectors. The proposed federal legislation would provide an incentive for states to require schools to stock epinephrine.

In addition to FARE, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the American Academy of Emergency Medicine and the National Association of Elementary School Principals have endorsed the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act.