Senator Serrano's Asthma Study Legislation Passes New York State Senate for 2nd Year in a Row

(Albany, NY) - On Wednesday, June 10th, the New York State Senate passed Senator José M. Serrano's bill, S1165, for the second year in a row. Serrano's bill mandates the New York State Department of Health to conduct an intensive study on the alarmingly high asthma rates in the Bronx and to use the findings to create a comprehensive remedial plan

"The communities I represent in New York City, especially in the Bronx, have unfortunately been plagued by an asthma epidemic for far too long," said Senator Serrano. "Approximately twenty percent of the children in the Bronx suffer from asthma and the Bronx county rate of asthma is approximately four to five times greater than the national average. This is completely unacceptable. It is my hope that by requiring the Department of Health to conduct a thorough study, we will be able to develop a remedial plan that addresses the root cause of asthma so that these communities can breathe easier."

The legislation addresses the severe problem of asthma in the Bronx by ordering a study be conducted by some of the best public health professionals in New York State. Serrano's legislation demands that key components of the Bronx's asthma epidemic be scrutinized. These major points include an analysis of high risk neighborhoods examining disparities in income, race and ethnicity, public and private housing, proximity to major sources of air pollution, and an evaluation of the effectiveness  of  existing  medical facilities. The study and remedial plan must be completed one year from being signed into law

With the bill having passed the New York State Senate, it is now referred to the New York State Assembly for a vote, where it is sponsored by Assemblymember Luis R. Sepulveda.

CLICK HERE to view Senator Serrano's remarks on the Senate floor about this legislation.