Provides for a program of asthma disease management and control within the department of health

Article 27-BB § 2725 would create an Asthma disease management and control program. The purpose of the program is to promote asthma disease management and education and outreach about asthma to people who suffer from asthma and their families, health care providers, and the general public.

Article 27-BB § 2726 would require the Department of Health to study the incidence and prevalence of asthma in New York state including current disease management practices. Such study shall include the cause and nature of the disease, behavioral and environmental triggers, an assessment of the need for patient-centered case management to meet specific physical and environmental needs of patients, outcome evaluations and an assessment of the ability of providers to systemically instruct and develop asthma management plans for patients and frequently review with patients and their families how to manage and control their asthma. The Department of Health shall also gather data for monitoring the occurrence, frequency, incidence, cause, effect and severity of asthma. The gathered data will be used for research purposes only and the Department of Health will develop a unique and confidential identifier to be used in the collection of patient information for the purposes described above.

Article 27-BB §2727 would require the commissioner to submit an annual report, commencing January first, after the bill is enacted and continue annually thereafter. The report shall include the status and accomplishments of the program and provide recommendations to the governor, the temporary president and the minority leader of the senate, and the speaker and the minority leader of the assembly.

Justification

Asthma is a chronic, potentially life-threatening, respiratory illness that affects over a million New Yorkers, including many thousands of children and adolescents. Asthma is also directly linked to large and growing inpatient bills for Medicaid and other health care, which in most cases could be avoided through early education and treatment of this potentially fatal disease. Asthma is the most common chronic disorder in children and adolescents and is responsible for 10 million missed school days each year which is three times the amount for children without this debilitating ailment. In recent years asthma has become the leading cause of hospitalization among children in New York and since 1980, the death rate among sufferers has increased a staggering 50%. In one area of the Bronx known as "Asthma Alley" the rate of asthma sufferers is 7 1/2 times that of the national average.

Research and preventive efforts remain minimal despite studies that show early education, screening, and treatment as lifesaving and cost effective solutions to this growing epidemic. Establishing a comprehensive statewide asthma management program which coordinates the efforts of individuals, families, health care providers, schools and community-based organizations would help New York track the disease, better understand its causes and triggers, and direct asthma education and preventive care to the children and families who need it the most.

Legislative history

1999 & 2000 - A7070b - passed the Assembly 2001 & 2002 - A7562a - passed the Assembly 2003 & 2004 - A2695 - passed the Assembly 2006 - S4436 - Referred to Health 2008 - S2241 - Referred to Health 2009 - 2010 - S1875 - Referred to health

Fiscal implications

Subject to fiscal appropriation.

EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become law; provided that the commissioner of health is authorized to promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take any other measures necessary to implement this act on its effective date on or before such date.