Source: The Desert Review
AB 743 was signed into California law last week by Governor Gavin Newsom after months of advocacy by Comite Civico and community members.
AB 743 will allow asthma medication prescribed by Mexican doctors to be used in American schools. Before the bill was passed, the only medication allowed in schools had to be prescribed by American doctors; others were not allowed in school and had to be administered by a parent if necessary.
That created dangerous situations schools, such as Claudia Morales’ 12-year-old son. Morales has insurance through Simsa, a binational insurance with Mexico, and although she says he had the best allergy doctor, her son could not use the medication in school because it was prescribed in Mexico.
Morales said her son has had several attacks just this past year while at school. She said he would have an attack and she would not be able to get there to help him. She would have to call another family member to take and administer his emergency medication.
“I would get into a lot of fights with the school nurse just because of a law that says he needs medication from an American doctor,” said Morales. “I’m beyond content and excited that this bill passed.”
Director of Health Programs at Comite Civico Esther Bejarano said that situations such as Morales’ are common. It had become a silent crisis for Imperial Valley children and educators. Bejarano said that a teacher in Westmorland approached her for help, asking for a way to give students their asthma medication when the policy forbade it. It shocked her and pushed her to support the bill when it was proposed.
“Kids will be able to breathe … learn and study, and thrive in school because they will be able to take their medication as prescribed by physicians,” said Bejarano.
Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia speaks at a press conference to discuss changes to school's asthma medication policies thanks to AB 743.
Dr. Lwbba Chait, a Pioneers Memorial pediatrician, said it is crucial that children have access to their medication, regardless of whether prescribed by a U.S. or Mexico doctor. Chait said the Imperial Valley is recognized as having the highest rate of hospitalizations for childhood asthma in the state, and childhood asthma is 2% higher than the rest of the state.
“It is very important that all children have their inhalers available in school because it could save their life,” said Chait.
State Senator Ben Hueso and Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia are hopeful that the passing of this bill will not only affect asthma medication but other healthcare services as well. Hueso said there has been a binational healthcare agreement with Mexico for a long time and that patients should be able to use the medicine in the states. Hueso added that he particularly hopes the passage of AB 743 brings the healthcare situations in California border towns to the attention of Sacramento.
