|
March 13, 2002
NYSUT makes heart-felt case for defibrillator bill to become law
New York State United Teachers is urging the governor to sign legislation that could help save student lives by requiring life-saving cardiac defibrillators on public school grounds.
The measure, which would apply to schools with 1,000 or more students, was approved by both houses of the Legislature late last month. The bill specifies at least one member of a school's staff would need to be trained on how to use the life-saving device.
NYSUT President Tom Hobart said the legislation "is a tribute to the unceasing efforts of Port Jervis fifth-grade teacher Rachel Moyer," a NYSUT member who has made it her personal crusade to get a defibrillator in every school. Moyer lost her son in December 2000 after he collapsed at a high school basketball game; the nearest hospital was 25 minutes away.
"We couldn't be more ecstatic the legislation has passed both houses," Moyer said. "I am confident that the governor will sign it because he knows we can't place a price tag on saving lives in our schools."
Moyer and her husband, John have also helped get a law passed in their home state of Pennsylvania that provides two free AEDs for each school district.
While the union believes Automated External Defibrillators should be available in all schools, this legislation is an important first step, said New York State United Teachers Executive Vice President Alan Lubin.
"This is a bill that will help save lives," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, citing the tragic March 2000 death of Louis Acompora, a Northport, Long Island high school student who suffered a fatal cardiac arrest during a lacrosse game. Since then, the boy's parents have set up a foundation that provides matching funds to schools that want to purchase an AED.
In December, a defibrillator purchased through the Acompora fund saved the life of a 15-year-old boy who suffered a cardiac arrest when he was walking to class at Smithtown High School.
The legislation is supported by numerous groups, including the Medical Society of the State of New York and the American Heart Association. The New York State School Boards Association is urging the governor to veto the legislation because it fails to provide specific funding for AEDs.
"We agree the state should fund the purchase of defibrillators, but if the state can't, we stand ready to work with school boards and community groups to form public-private partnerships to raise money," Lubin said. "Our kids' safety shouldn't have a price tag."
AEDs retail for about $3,000. But Moyer, who has raised more than $140,000 and donated almost 40 AEDs to schools and other organizations, said they may be purchased in large quantities for less than $1,500 each.
NYSUT.org. Copyright New York State United Teachers. 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, New York, 12110-2455. 518.213.6000.
http://www.nysut.org. For questions about this web site, contact the webmaster at bthomas@nysutmail.org.
| 
