Congress is taking steps to improve how schools across the country manage asthma. The federal bill is called the School-Based Asthma Management Programs Act (HR 4662). The bill encourages states to improve asthma care in schools. Schools that adopt improved asthma management programs and policies would have a better chance of receiving federal grant money for asthma programs.

Representatives Phil Roe (R-TN) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD) are the sponsors of the bill.

The bill calls for:

• stocking asthma-related medications for use when a child's own medication is not available.
• implementing asthma management programs to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for children with asthma.

HR 4662 builds upon the 2014 School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act. That law gives federal grant preferences to states where schools are required to stock epinephrine auto-injectors for use in allergy emergencies. The new asthma bill encourages states to adopt policies that improve the lives of children with asthma in schools.

This action comes two months after officials in two different Texas school districts suspended students in asthma-related incidents. In one, officials suspended a boy for carrying a classmate to a nurse after she collapsed with an asthma attack. In the other, a school disciplined two girls; one shared her quick-relief inhaler with her fellow student when she had an asthma flare-up.

Tell your Congressional representatives to pass HR 4662! Join AAFA's Action Network and tell your legislators to support this important children's health law today!