New asthma legislation to help fund program to battle high asthma rates

Health officials said one in five children in Imperial County will have asthma in their lifetime.

On Thursday, Congressman Juan Vargas introduced the Asthma Care and Prevention in Rural Communities Act, which he hopes could reduce that statistic.

” When a child has asthma and has an attack, it not only affects the child which of course it does, it affects the whole family and it affects that child’s learning. So we need to do something about that. We need to have a way that we’re more effective reaching the rural community, ” said Congressman Vargas.

The bill would bring $5 million dollars to Imperial County which would help local health agencies provide better care for asthma patients.

Aide Mungia-Fulton , Director of the Imperial Valley Child Asthma Program for the El Centro Regional Medical Center said, ” When our kids are going to the emergency room we are providing the appropriate care. We’re providing resources. We’re educating them and sending them home with the necessary equipment. ”

It would also provide affordable treatments.

Rusty Garcia, Board Chairman of Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo said, ” Having treatment here at Clinicas that we can provide so that it can be economically feasible for people here. ”

Congressman Vargas said a study will also be funded through the bill to show the effect asthma has in communities like Imperial Valley.

” When people think of asthma they think it is an inner-city issue which is true it is an issue. But it’s also rural community issue. We have to get money, we have to get resources. ”

But the congressman said more work still needs to be done for the bill to pass.

” And they’re waiting or a signal from the administration. And that’s what we have to continue to work on to convince the administration that these kids, our kids here are worth it. ”

Congressman Vargas said that the bill could be voted on later this year.

ORIGINAL STORY

Representative Juan Vargas will introduce asthma legislation that will help address the high asthma rates in rural and underserved communities, Thursday.

Known as the Asthma Care and Prevention in Rural Communities, it could bring $5 million to the county and help local health agencies with resources to battle the high rates of asthma among children.

The bill could be voted on later this year.

Stay with News 11 as we gather more information.