Posted: | November 5, 2021 02:09 PM |
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From: | Senator Mike Regan |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Electrocardiogram Testing for Students |
Recently I spoke on the Senate floor to designate October as Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month. That same day, a short time after my remarks, a young 12-year-old boy in Allegheny County collapsed at his basketball practice and died from what has been determined to be an unknown heart defect. Just days later, a high schooler in Montgomery County died from a “sudden cardiac incident”. As I noted in my floor remarks, we lose a child to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) every hour of every day. It is reported to be the leading killer of student athletes in the United States and the leading cause of death on school campuses. SCA does not discriminate between athlete and non-athlete. The fact of the matter is that one in 300 youth has an undetected heart condition that could lead to SCA. That is why I intend to introduce legislation that will build off of last session’s Peyton’s Law to require all students to receive electrocardiogram testing upon original entry into school, as well every other year of their K-12 education. Our School Code already recognizes the importance of routine physicals, dental exams and hygiene, vision screenings, the allowance of asthma inhalers and epi-pens in schools, and providing diabetic care in schools. It is time we recognize the importance of knowing whether or not students have a heart condition that could cause them to experience SCA in the classroom, during gym class, or on the athletic field. This is a pertinent health concern that speaks to the real risks facing our students everyday. Please join me in co-sponsoring this very important piece of legislation, which is an opportunity for Pennsylvania to lead the way nationally in protecting kids’ hearts and protecting their parents from the tragedy that is Sudden Cardiac Arrest. |