HR 2468, School-based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act - Approved by Congress

June 14, 2022
The AAAAI and others urged the US Senate Appropriations Committee: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies to allocate funding to help school buildings become healthier, advance school pandemic and climate-resiliency, and increase environmental public health services for children in K-12 schools and child care facilities as well as research. Read the submitted testimony here.

April 6. 2021
AAAAI wrote to the Biden Administration to offer its expertise in implementing Public Law No. 116-292, the School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act. The measure amends the Public Health Service Act to provide preference to states which ensure a school nurse or other trained staffer is available on the premises, and that students diagnosed with allergies and asthma are identified and have an individualized action plan and coordinated support system. This legislation was based on the School-based Asthma, Allergy & Anaphylaxis Management Program, or SA³MPRO^TM.

January 5, 2021
H.R. 2468, the School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act became law to enhance the safety of students with allergies and asthma in the school setting. First introduced in support of the AAAAI’s SA³MPRO™ by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Representative Phil Roe, MD (R-TN), its passage reflects the efforts of many dedicated physicians and patient advocates who urged its passage.

The measure requires that the Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] award grants first to those states which ensure a school nurse or other trained personnel is available on the premises, and that students diagnosed with allergies and asthma are identified and have an individualized action plan and coordinated support system. The AAAAI will work with HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement this framework.

December 17, 2020
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed H.R. 2468, the School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Act, clearing the measure for President Trump’s signature and enactment. The bipartisan legislation initiated by the AAAAI in support of the SA³MPRO™ program encourages Department of Education grant applicants to implement a comprehensive school-based allergies and asthma management program. H.R. 2468 will help support students with asthma and allergies and their families to practice consistent management of their conditions at school.

The School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act (H.R. 2468) amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the conditions under which the Department of Health and Human Services, in making asthma-related grants, gives preference to a state. The measure will give preference to states that require elementary and secondary schools to have at least one individual, such as a school nurse or other school staff, to direct and apply a comprehensive school-based allergies and asthma management program on a voluntary basis. The program will include a method to identify students with allergies and asthma, have on file an action plan for each individual student, and develop a support system for each such student coordinating school staff, family members, and health care providers. The two most important strategies for preparing schools in the event of an asthma incident are implementing individual action plans and preparing school staff to assist children experiencing an attack. Click here for more information on SA³MPRO^TM, including its expansion to provide support for patient with food allergies.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2468 on September 29, 2020. Its passage by the 116th Congress reflects ongoing AAAAI advocacy efforts, and those of its patient advocacy organizations, including the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and the Allergy and Asthma Network, along with the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

October 23, 2020
In collaboration with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, AAAAI members across the country urged their Senators to pass H.R. 2468, the School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act this year. Passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on September 29, 2020, this bipartisan, budget neutral legislation is now before the United States Senate. AAAAI and AAFA are working with the bill’s sponsors and the committee of jurisdiction to urge the Senate to pass the bill during the current Lame Duck session.

October 15, 2020
The AAAAI wrote U.S. Senators to urge their passage of H.R. 2468, the “School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act,” currently before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The AAAAI strongly supports this bipartisan, budget neutral legislation, passed by the House of Representatives under suspension of the rules on September 29, 2020, and based upon the AAAAI SA³MPRO^TM program.

October 12, 2020
Updated resources for HR 2468 for Senate Outreach
Materials for handouts for discussions about HR 2468, the School-based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act, have been updated following passage in the House of Representatives, for use in reaching out to Senators.

School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act (H.R. 2468)
CDC Asthma Prevalence & Mortality Data

October 5, 2020
The  AAAAI urges Senate leadership of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to advance H.R. 2468, the “School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act” through its committee so that it can be considered by the full Senate. Read more.

September 29, 2020
HR 2468 Passes the House
The House of Representatives passed by voice vote HR 2468, the “School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act” – legislation initiated by the AAAAI in support of the SA³MPRO^TM program – clearing the legislation for consideration by the United States Senate.  

September 25, 2020
HR 2468 Scheduled for House Vote
The “School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act” (HR 2468) was scheduled to be considered under suspension of the rules by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 29.

August 17, 2020
CBO Confirms that HR 2468 will not affect budget
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a cost estimate for HR 2468, the “School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act,” confirming that the legislation would not affect the federal budget.  As a result, the bill will not require an offset for further congressional consideration.

July 15, 2020
HR 2468 Cleared for House Consideration
The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed HR 2468, the “School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act” by voice vote, thus favorably reporting the bill for consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives.

May 6, 2020
Continuing support for HR 2468, the School Allergies & Asthma bill
The AAAAI has sent letters to Representative Phil Roe (R-TN) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the sponsors of HR 2468 The School-Based Allergies and Asthma Program Act, initiated by the AAAAI in support of the SA³MPRO^TM program, to encourage HR 2468 be included with relief strategies as schools prepare to open after the COVID19 pandemic.

March 11, 2020
The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee marked up and passed by voice vote H.R. 2468, the "School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act". During testimony, Rep. Matsui remarked, “This bill empowers individuals and their families to take necessary precautions to known food allergies.” H.R. 2468 will next be scheduled for consideration by the full House Committee on Energy and Commerce. 

January 8, 2020
House E&C Discusses AAAAI Bill to Support Allergy and Asthma Care in Schools
The House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee met on January 8, 2020, to discuss priority legislation, including H.R. 2468, the School-based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act, which is based on the AAAAI's School-based Asthma Management Program (SA³MPRO™). H.R. 2468 was considered with a number of other bills all focused on improving healthcare coverage and outcomes. Subcommittee Chairwoman Eshoo explained the need for the legislation by stating that “Children should be able to go to school feeling secure that their school can handle an asthma attack or an allergic reaction. This is not the case today.” The AAAAI thanks the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America for presenting testimony, and AAAAI submitted written testimony in support of the bill. AAAAI looks forward to working with the committee to advance this important legislation. The next step in the legislative process is for the bill to be marked up by the Health Subcommittee and then the full House Energy & Commerce Committee, which would clear its path for consideration by the full House of Representatives.

May 2, 2019
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Representative Phil Roe, MD (R-TN) have introduced the School-based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act, HR 2468.  Read the related news release here.

Over six million American children have asthma, making asthma a leading causes of school absenteeism. While asthma poses serious health and educational threats, with proper treatment and care, asthma can be controlled and does not have to negatively impact a student’s access to education.

This bill provides a funding mechanism for evidence-based interventions in the School-based Asthma Management Program (SA³MPRO™), developed by the AAAAI in collaboration with a broad group of stakeholders. View more information on SA³MPRO™.

Read the  Food Allergy Research/HR 2468/Penicillin Allergy Testing issue brief.