NY Takes Bold Step in Cardiac Emergency Plans, Menopause Support

Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal (D - Housing Committee Chair) joins us to unpack the newly-introduced legislative package aimed at increasing support for women dealing with menopause and perimenopause in the state. This summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law that would require public schools accross the state to implement emergency cadiac safety plans. We dive into the law's impact and the process of putting this plans in place.

 

EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Episode Transcript

(00:01):
[THEME MUSIC]
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."I'M

(00:22):
SHANTEL DESTRA.
A NEW LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE
CENTERED AROUND MENOPAUSE FOR
WOMEN HAS BEEN INTRODUCED AT THE
STATE CAPITAL.
IF ENACTED, THE PACKAGE WOULD
REQUIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES,
EMPLOYERS AND THE STATE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE
RESOURCES FOR WOMEN GOING
THROUGH THIS BIOLOGICAL CHANGE.

(00:42):
WHILE IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO SEE
MOVEMENT ON BILLS IN THE SUMMER
MONTHS, THE BILL'S SPONSOR,
ASSEMBLY MEMBER LINDA ROSENTHAL,
SAYS THAT SHE'S BEEN DOING THE
WORK TO BUILD SUPPORT IN
PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT
LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
FOR MORE ON THE LEGISLATIVE
PACKAGE, ITS IMPACT AND THE
PLANS TO GARNER SUPPORT, WE SAT

(01:02):
DOWN WITH THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
HERE'S THAT INTERVIEW.
[THEME MUSIC]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING
US HERE TODAY, ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> OF COURSE.
NOW, CAN YOU UNPACK THE
LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE THAT YOU'VE
RECENTLY INTRODUCED THAT WOULD
WORK TO ADDRESS ISSUES WOMEN
FACE DEALING WITH MENOPAUSE IN
THE STATE?

(01:25):
>> SURE. WELL, SOME YEARS AGO, I
DECIDED TO TRY TO ELIMINATE THE
STIGMA AROUND MENSTRUATION AND
PERIODS.
SO ABOUT-- I THINK IT'S ABOUT
SIX YEARS NOW, MY BILL
ELIMINATED THE TAX ON TAMPONS
AND FROM THERE, YOU KNOW, WE
PASSED FREE TAMPONS IN SCHOOLS,

(01:47):
FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS IN
SCHOOLS, IN PRISONS, IN HOMELESS
SHELTERS, I PASSED A LAW, FIRST
IN THE NATION, WHICH REQUIRED
INGREDIENT LABELING ON ALL
MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS.
AND VARIOUS OTHER THINGS,
SOMETHING ABOUT ENDOMETRIOSIS,
ET CETERA.
YOU KNOW WHAT, I TACKLED ONE END

(02:09):
OF THE SPECTRUM IN A WOMEN'S
LIFE AND NOW IT'S TIME TO GO TO
THE OTHER, WHEN IT COMES TO HER
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH JOURNEY, AND
THAT IS MENSTRUATION.
I'M SORRY, MENOPAUSE.
THAT IS MENOPAUSE THAT IS
SHROUDED IN THE SAME KIND OF
STIGMA AND SHAME, IF YOU WILL,
AS THE BEGINNING, AS

(02:30):
MENSTRUATION.
AND SO I LOOKED INTO IT AND I
SAW THAT AS A STATE, THERE WERE
THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP
MAKE WOMEN'S HEALTH MORE
PRIORITY ESPECIALLY WHEN IT
COMES TO WHAT WOMEN GO THROUGH
WHEN THEY BEGIN MENOPAUSE,
PERIMENOPAUSE AND MEN MOW PAUSE.

(02:50):
ONE OF THE BILLS MAKES IT
UNLAWFUL FOR AN EMPLOYER TO
REFUSE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
FOR MENSTRUAL OR
MENOPAUSAL-RELATED CONDITIONS.
THAT MEANS THAT EMPLOYEES WOULD
HAVE TO BE PROVIDED INFORMATION
DESCRIBING THEIR RIGHTS TO
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION AND

(03:11):
RESOURCES, IF THEY FEEL THEY'VE
BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.
THE NEXT BILL IS AN INSURANCE
BILL REQUIRES THAT ALL PRIVATE
HEALTH INSURERS IN NEW YORK
STATE COVER PERIMENOPAUSE AND
MENOPAUSE CARE AND TREATMENT BY
LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS,
AND THEN THE LAST BILL SO FAR

(03:32):
REQUIRES THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH TO CREATE AN
INFORMATIONAL PAMPHLET FOR
PATIENTS WITH INFORMATION ON THE
STAGES OF MENOPAUSE, SYMPTOMS
AND TREATMENT OPTIONS.
>> YEAH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
UNPACKING THE IMPETUS OF THAT
LEGISLATION FOR US.
I'M CURIOUS, WHAT ARE YOU HOPING
THE LASTING IMPACT WILL BE?

(03:52):
>> WOMEN'S HEALTH HAS LONG BEEN
CONSIDERED NOT A PRIORITY.
YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THE
HISTORY OF CLINICAL TRIALS AND
CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONS INTO NEW
DRUGS AND NEW CONDITIONS.
THEY BASICALLY ALL BEEN DONE ON
WHITE MEN.
NOW THAT HAS CHANGED AND IS
CHANGING, BUT CLEARLY HALF THE

(04:13):
POPULATION IS NOT A WHITE MAN.
WOMEN'S BODIES ARE DIFFERENT
THAN MEN.
WE NEED AN APPROACH THAT FACTORS
IN EVERYBODY'S ISSUES.
NOW WITH THE NEW FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT REALLY DISMISSING A
LOT OF HEALTH ISSUES, ESPECIALLY
WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN AND
DIVERSITY, I FEEL LIKE IT'S

(04:35):
INCUMBENT ON US IN NEW YORK
STATE TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES,
AND SO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT
OF MIS AND DISINFORMATION ABOUT
MENOPAUSE AND LACK OF
INFORMATION, ANY KIND OF
INFORMATION.
MY GOAL IS TO SHINE A LIGHT ON
THIS NORMAL BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION

(04:57):
AND TO SEE HOW WE CAN HELP WOMEN
IN THE WORKPLACE LIVE THEIR
LIVES WITHOUT GOING THROUGH SOME
OF THE PAINS AND TROUBLES THAT
MENOPAUSE CAUSES.
>> AS YOU HAVE MENTIONED BEFORE,
YOU WORKED REALLY HARD ON
FOCUSING ON WOMEN'S ISSUES AND
HAVING EQUITY IN THE STATE.

(05:17):
SO HOW HAS THAT WORKED TO IMPACT
THE WAY THAT YOU'VE APPROACHED
DRAFTING THIS NEW LEGISLATIVE
PACKAGE?
>> I'VE BEEN IN THE ASSEMBLY FOR
SOME YEARS NOW.
I THINK I HAVE A GOOD
UNDERSTANDING ON HOW TO APPEAL
TO A WIDE RANGE OF LEGISLATORS,

(05:38):
WHAT IS NEEDED TO GET SOMETHING
PASSED AND HOW TO TAKE INTO
ACCOUNT THE ROLE OF THE AGENCIES
AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, AND
SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THESE
THREE BILLS RIGHT NOW ADDRESS
SOME OF THE GLARING GAPS IN
LEGISLATION.
SO YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, AND

(05:59):
I'VE SPOKEN TO VARIOUS WOMEN WHO
HAVE GONE THROUGH MENOPAUSE OR
ARE IN PERIMENOPAUSE SAYING,
WHEN THEY GO TO THE OFFICE AND
IT'S-- IT'S TOO HOT, MAYBE IT'S
NOT THAT HOT, BUT FOR THEM, IT'S
HOT, THEY NEED A PLACE TO GO,
EVEN IF IT'S WINTER, YOU KNOW,
THAT'S AIR CONDITIONED, FOR
EXAMPLE, OR IF THEY NEED TO STAY

(06:21):
HOME FOR A DAY, THAT'S FINE, OR
IF THEY NEED TO WORK FROM HOME
THAT DAY, THAT'S FINE, TOO,
WITHOUT IT BECOMING LIKE A BIG
DEAL, YOU KNOW, JUST AS IN
SCHOOLS, KIDS DON'T WANT TO HAVE
TO RAISE THEIR HAND AND GO TO
THE NURSE WHEN THEY NEED A
TAMPON.
THEY CAN JUST GO TO THE BATHROOM
NOW AND GET ONE.
SAME THING.

(06:41):
SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING
EXCEPTIONAL AND CAUSING TROUBLE.
IT'S JUST NORMAL COURSE OF
EVENTS.
YES, I'M GOING THERE TO AIR
CONDITIONING EVEN IF IT'S 20
DEGREES OUT.
MY BODY IS OVERHEATING.
AND THE SAME WITH THE VARIOUS
OTHER SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE.
THEY NEED TO BE UNDERSTANDING.
>> AND THE FIRST BILL OF THE

(07:02):
PACKAGE, AS YOU MENTIONED,
REQUIRES INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR
MENOPAUSE CARE AND TREATMENT.
SO CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH HOW A
MEASURE LIKE THIS WOULD IMPACT
WOMEN FINANCIALLY?
>> ONE OF THE TREATMENTS MIGHT
BE HORMONES, BUT THOSE ARE NOT
ALWAYS COVERED BY INSURANCE.

(07:25):
THERE'S A LOSS OF BONE.
SO PERHAPS YOU NEED MEDICATION
THAT ADDRESSES THAT.
HIGHER CHOLESTEROL, SLEEP
DISRUPTION.
PERHAPS YOU NEED TO GO TO AN
EXPERT IN SLEEP DISORDERS.
THERE ARE SO MANY PERMEATIONS OF

(07:46):
SYMPTOMS AND THAT'S ANOTHER
PROBLEM THAT NOT ALL DOCTORS ARE
ACTUALLY FAMILIAR WITH HOW TO
ADDRESS THE ISSUES AS WELL.
SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE
CAN HAVE FREE ACCESS, FREE, AS
IN, YOU KNOW, UNFETTERED.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO GET TEN
REFERRALS TO GET TO A LICENSED

(08:07):
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WHO KNOWS
HOW TO HANDLE THESE ISSUES.
>> AND HOW ARE YOU HOPING TO
GARNER SUPPORT FOR THE PACKAGE
WHILE LAWMAKERS ARE AWAY FOR THE
SUMMER AND AWAY FROM THE STATE
CAPITAL?
>> RIGHT. WELL, YOU KNOW, THE
SESSION DOESN'T BEGIN AGAIN
UNTIL JANUARY.
SO THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME, YOU

(08:28):
KNOW, TO SPEAK WITH PEOPLE.
I'M SPEAKING WITH COLLEAGUES,
SENDING EMAILS, DOING SOME MEDIA
SO THAT PEOPLE CAN READ ABOUT IT
AND IN GENERAL, I THINK
MENOPAUSE AND PERIMENOPAUSE IS
STARTING TO EMERGE IN THE SOCIAL
MEDIA SPHERE.
SO PEOPLE ARE LEARNING ABOUT IT
AND I THINK THEY'LL BE EAGER TO

(08:49):
BE INVOLVED IN THE EFFORT TO
HELP WOMEN GOING THROUGH
PERIMENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE.
>> AND ARE YOU CURRENTLY HAVING
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE HEALTH
DEPARTMENT AROUND THIS PACKAGE?
WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE THEIR
SUPPORT BEING FOR THE PAMPHLETS
THAT THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO
CREATE UNDER THIS LEGISLATION?
>> WELL, I PASSED NUMEROUS LAWS

(09:10):
REQUIRING PAMPHLETS.
I WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM WHETHER
IT'S A PAMPHLET ABOUT
ENDOMETRIOSIS, PAMPHLET ABOUT
LYMPHEDEMA WHICH I DID SOME
YEARS AGO.
I HAVE A BILL PENDING.
A PAMPHLET ABOUT IUDS.
YOU KNOW, I'M USED TO WORKING
WITH THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES ON

(09:31):
PREPARING THESE PAMPHLETS,
WHICH, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN TURN
TO EXPERTS IN THE FIELD.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO INVENT THE
WHEEL WHEN IT COMES TO COMPILING
INFORMATION.
YOU KNOW, THERE ARE DIFFERENT
GROUPS AND THERE ARE CERTAINLY
DOCTORS AND NURSES AND OTHERS
WHO SPECIALIZE IN THESE
DIFFERENT CONDITIONS AND THEY

(09:52):
PROVIDE INPUT.
>> AND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES
THAT YOU'RE ANTICIPATING WITH
GETTING THIS PACKAGE OVER THE
LEGISLATIVE FINISH LINE?
AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO WORK TO
SORT OF MITIGATE THOSE
CHALLENGES?
>> WELL, ANY NEW BILL HAS
CHALLENGES.
PEOPLE NEED TO BECOME FAMILIAR
WITH IT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE

(10:13):
FACT THAT PERIMENOPAUSE AND
MENOPAUSE AFFECTS HALF THE
POPULATION AND HAVING A WOMAN
GOVERNOR, I THINK, WILL HELP IN
MOVING THESE FORWARD.
THERE'S NO REASON TO OPPOSE
THIS.
OF COURSE, INSURANCE COMPANIES
DON'T LIKE HAVE TO BE ON THE

(10:34):
HOOK FOR COVERAGE OF CERTAIN,
YOU KNOW, APPOINTMENTS AND
STUFF, BUT YOU KNOW, THAT'S
THEIR JOB TO COVER-- COVER
APPOINTMENTS AND HEALTH-RELATED
ISSUES SO I DON'T EXPECT
OPPOSITION.
IT'S JUST A MATTER OF THERE ARE

(10:55):
MANY PRESSING ISSUES THAT WE
ALWAYS CONTEND WITHIN SESSION SO
MAKING SURE THIS RISES TO THE
TOP.
>> AND IF THE BILLS ARE SIGNED
INTO LAW AND ENACTED, HOW MUCH
WOULD IT COST THE STATE TO
IMPLEMENT THEM?
>> WELL, IT SHOULDN'T REALLY
COST THE STATE VERY MUCH AT ALL.
PAMPHLET WOULD BE AVAILABLE

(11:18):
ONLINE SO PEOPLE COULD DOWNLOAD
IT.
WHEN IT COMES TO INSURANCE, YOU
KNOW, A LOT OF THIS IS FUNDED
UNDER MEDICAID AT THIS MOMENT SO
THIS IS ABOUT PRIVATE INSURANCE
AND IN TERMS OF PROVIDING
ACCOMMODATIONS TO WOMEN, THIS
ACTUALLY LEADS TO GREATER
PRODUCTIVITY.
WE KNOW THAT ONCE WOMEN ENTER

(11:39):
PERIMENOPAUSE OR MENOPAUSE, A
GOOD NUMBER OF THEM QUIT THE
WORKPLACE BECAUSE THE PHYSICAL
SYMPTOMS AND SOME OF THE
PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS MAKE IT
TOO DIFFICULT TO ADHERE TO A
STRICT WORK-- WORKPLACE
REQUIREMENT.
SO IF YOU DON'T GET THE DAY OFF

(12:00):
BECAUSE YOU'RE JUST NOT FEELING
WELL OR YOU DON'T GET TO WORK AT
HOME OR THE OFFICE IS FREEZING
OR OVERHEATED, IT'S HARD TO WORK
THERE DURING THOSE
CIRCUMSTANCES.
SO THIS WILL ENABLE PEOPLE TO
WORK BETTER, LONGER, AND NOT
LEAVE THE WORKPLACE.

(12:20):
SO I THINK ALL IN ALL, IT REALLY
WILL BE HELPFUL TO EMPLOYERS,
EMPLOYEES AND THE WORK PRODUCT.
>> AND LASTLY, HOW ARE YOU
HOPING TO BUILD ON YOUR EFFORTS
THROUGH THE SUMMER HEADING INTO
THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN
JANUARY AND ARE THERE ANY OTHER
ISSUES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE
FOCUSED ON NEXT SESSION AS IT

(12:42):
RELATES TO WOMEN'S ISSUES?
>> WELL, I, YOU KNOW, SENDING
OUT EMAILS, SPEAKING TO MILE
COULD LEAGUES, THE USUAL THING
WE DO WHEN WE'RE NOT IN ALBANY
AND YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN
SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING MANY LAWS
PASSED.
SO I THINK THIS WILL BE
ANOTHER-- ANOTHER ONE.
I HAVE A LOT OF HOUSING ISSUES

(13:06):
THAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
PASSING.
I HAVE BILLS ABOUT AI.
I HAVE BILLS ABOUT -- WELL, I
PASSED A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT
LAWS AROUND SEXUAL ABUSE AND A
CHILD VICTIM'S ACT, A SURVIVOR'S
ACT AND I HAVE SOME MORE BILLS

(13:27):
IN THAT VEIN, TRYING TO PROTECT
WOMEN BEFORE AND AFTER THEY ARE
ASSAULTED AND MAKING SURE THEY
HAVE A PATH TO JUSTICE SO THOSE
ARE-- THOSE ARE SOME OF THE
ISSUES THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING ON NEXT SESSION.
>> WELL, THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE
HAVE FOR TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING

(13:48):
US, ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
ASSEMBLY MEMBER LINDA ROSENTHAL,
REPRESENTING THE 67TH ASSEMBLY
DISTRICT AND CHAIR OF THE
ASSEMBLY HOUSING COMMITTEE.
[THEME MUSIC]
>> IN JULY, GOVERNOR KATHY
HOCHUL SIGNED A LAW THAT WOULD
REQUIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN TO
HAVE CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE

(14:11):
PLANS.
SINCE THEN, THE QUESTION HAS
BEEN, HOW WILL THIS BE
IMPLEMENTED?
SUPPORTERS OF THE LAW HAVE
UNDERSCORED THAT THE SAFETY
PLANS CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH IN
LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCIES.
IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, OUR ELISE
KLINE DOVE INTO THE
IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS AND THE

(14:32):
IMPACT OF THIS LAW.
HERE'S THAT STORY.
[THEME MUSIC]
>> AT THE END OF JULY GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL SIGNED A BILL INTO
LAW THAT WOULD REQUIRE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS IN NEW YORK TO HAVE
CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE
PLANS.
THE BILL, NICKNAMED DESHA'S LAW,
WAS NAMED AFTER 12-YEAR-OLD
DESHA SANDERS WHO DIED FROM
SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST AT SCHOOL
WHILE PLAYING BASKETBALL.
AT THE BILL SIGNING, THE

(14:52):
GOVERNOR STRESSED NO FAMILY
SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT
DESHA'S FAMILY DID, HIGHLIGHTING
THAT WHILE THE SCHOOL HAD
DEFIBULATORS, THEY WERE LOCKED
UP AND INDIVIDUALS AROUND WERE
UNTRAINED.
>> AND I BELIEVE PERHAPS HER
LITTLE LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN
SAVED AND NOW HER 25-YEAR-OLD
SISTER, WHO WAS 9 YEARS OLD AT
THE TIME, WOULD'VE GROWN UP WITH
AN OLDER SISTER, TEACH HER THE

(15:12):
WAYS OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A
TEENAGER, A YOUNG ADULT AND A
MOM.
I'M A MOM.
IT'S REALLY HARD TO THINK OF THE
LOSS OF ANY OF OUR CHILDREN.
>> HOCHUL HIGHLIGHTED THE NEW
LAW IS SUPPORTED BY BUFFALO
BILLS SAFETY DAMAR HAMLIN, WHOSE
LIFE WAS SAVED ON THE FIELD BY
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE AFTER
SUFFERING SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST.
STATE SENATOR APRIL BASKIN, A

(15:33):
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING BUFFALO
AND THE LEAD SPONSOR OF THE
BILL, SAID AT A RECENT PRESS
CONFERENCE THAT SHE IS PROUD OF
THE NEW LAW CAN HONOR HER LITTLE
COUSIN'S MEMORY AND SAVE LIVES.
>> JUST AS MR. HAMLIN IS HERE
WITH US TODAY, I BELIEVE DESHA
IS HERE WITH US AS WELL.
I BELIEVE THAT DESHA IS HERE
SMILING DOWN ON US, SO PROUD
THAT WE ARE GOING TO USE HER
JOURNEY AND HER SITUATION TO

(15:54):
SAVE THE LIVES OF SO MANY OTHER
YOUTH ATHLETES ACROSS THE GREAT
STATE OF NEW YORK.
>> ASSEMBLY MEMBER MACHAELLE
SOLAGES, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING
PARTS OF NASSAU COUNTY AND THE
LEAD SPONSOR OF THE BILL IN THE
ASSEMBLY IS ALSO OVERJOYED THAT
THE BILL HAS BEEN SIGNED INTO
LAW.
>> EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT IS GOING
TO HAVE AT LEAST A PATHWAY TO
ENSURE THAT IF THERE'S A SUDDEN

(16:15):
CARDIAC ARREST, INDIVIDUALS GET
HELP.
SO WHETHER IT'S A STUDENT OR A
STAFF MEMBER, IT'S CREATING AN
ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE CAN SAVE
LIVES.
BECAUSE IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN
CARDIAC ARREST, SURVIVAL RATES
DROP ABOUT 10% EVERY MINUTE
WITHOUT A DEFIBULATOR OR WITHOUT
CPR.
SO ENSURING THAT THERE'S A
RAPID, ORGANIZED RESPONSE IS

(16:37):
REALLY GOING TO CHANGE LIVES AND
SAVE LIVES.
>> THE NEW STATE LAW REQUIRES A
VARIETY OF ELEMENTS FOR CARDIAC
EMERGENCY PLANNING, INCLUDING
THAT ANNUAL SAFETY TRAINING FOR
SCHOOLS INCLUDE COMPONENTS OF
SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST, REAFFIRM
THE DESIGNATION OF A CHIEF
EMERGENCY OFFICER RESPONSIBLE
FOR EMERGENCY PLANNING AND
UPDATE THE EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS.
THE UPDATE TO EMERGENCY

(16:57):
PROTOCOLS INCLUDES ADDING NEW
REQUIREMENTS IN THE LAW FOR A
CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN.
THE NEW REQUIREMENTS WOULD MEAN
THAT EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT'S
SAFETY TEAM MUST DEVELOP A
WRITTEN PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO
SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST OR SIMILAR
LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCIES ON
SCHOOL PROPERTY DURING
SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENTS.
KAWEEDA ADAMS, A FORMER
SUPERINTENDENT FOR ALBANY CITY
SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN ADVOCACY

(17:17):
AMBASSADOR FOR THE AMERICAN
HEART ASSOCIATION, SAYS THE
IMPLEMENTATION SHOULD BE VERY
DOABLE FOR SCHOOLS
>> IT'S PART OF THE SCHOOL
SAFETY PLAN THAT ALREADY EXISTS.
SO THIS BECOMES JUST ANOTHER
COMPONENT TO ENSURE THE SAFETY
AND WELL-BEING OF THE STUDENTS,
FACULTY, STAFF AND COMMUNITY
MEMBERS THAT COME TO SCHOOL

(17:39):
SITES.
>> THE NEW LAW REQUIRES THE PLAN
TO INCLUDE VENUE-SPECIFIC
PROCEDURES, ESPECIALLY FOR
ATHLETIC PROGRAMS, AND
INCORPORATE EVIDENCE-BASED
GUIDELINES.
ADAMS SAYS THE AMERICAN HEART
ASSOCIATION HAS DOWNLOADABLE
RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS TO REVIEW.
>> YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE
MACHINE IS OPERABLE, MAKE SURE
THAT EVERYTHING IS WORKING,
WHO'S CPR TRAINED.
ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE LISTED.
THERE'S A CHECKLIST THAT WE

(17:59):
HAVE.
IT'S DOWNLOADABLE, AND THEY CAN
GO THROUGH THAT VERY QUICKLY TO
MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE MEETING
THOSE PARTICULAR REQUIREMENTS.
>> MANY ADVOCATES STRESS THE
IMPORTANCE OF CPR TRAINING AND
ACCESS TO AUTOMATED EXTERNAL
DEFIBULATOR DEVICES FOR AEDS IN
A TIMELY MANNER IN THE EVENT OF
A SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST.
ANN FURNER, AN ADVOCATE AND
SURVIVOR OF A SUDDEN CARDIAC

(18:20):
ARREST, SAYS WHEN THERE WASN'T
ACCESS TO AN AED WHEN SHE WENT
INTO DISTRESS DURING A CHURCH
SERVICE, THE RECOGNITION FROM A
STRANGER WITH A MEDICAL
BACKGROUND IN THE HEALTH EPISODE
BEING A CARDIAC EMERGENCY AND
THE ACT OF CPR, SAVED HER LIFE.
>> MY HUSBAND TURNED TO ME AND
HE SAID, DO YOU FEEL OKAY?
AND THE LAST THING I REMEMBER AT

(18:42):
THAT POINT WAS I DON'T FEEL
WELL, AND THIS PART OF THE STORY
WAS TOLD TO ME, I COLLAPSED INTO
THE PEW.
HE YELLED OUT FOR HELP.
ONE OF THE-- I KNOW THEIR NAMES
NOW, AT THE TIME I DIDN'T.
HER NAME IS LAURIE, CAME
FORWARD, SHE RECOGNIZED IT AS A
CARDIAC ARREST IMMEDIATELY

(19:03):
BECAUSE OF HER BACKGROUND, WHICH
IS KIND OF THE KEY TO THIS WHOLE
THING.
>> FURNER ADDED THE IMMEDIATE
RESPONSE TO A SUDDEN CARDIAC
ARREST AND KNOWING WHAT TO DO
CAN HAVE A GREAT IMPACT ON A
POSITIVE OUTCOME.
>> THE IMMEDIATE RECOGNITION
MAKES A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A
PERSON SURVIVING AND NOT
SURVIVING.
>> FOR TERRY DEHLER, HER SON
VINCENT WAS NOT FORTUNATE TO

(19:23):
HAVE TIME AND IMMEDIATE RESPONSE
ON HIS SIDE WHEN HE WENT INTO
SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST.
SHE SAYS RESUSCITATION EFFORTS
WERE AT BEST MODERATE.
>> WHAT HAPPENED WAS THERE WERE
SEVERAL MOMENTS ACTUALLY HIM
GOING WITHOUT RESUSCITATION.
AND THAT CAUSED A 70% CHANCE OF
SURVIVAL RATE BEING DECREASED.

(19:43):
WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL,
YALE HOSPITAL, HE WAS DECEASED
AT THAT TIME.
HE NEVER REGAINED HIS EFFORTS.
>> DEHLER ADDED THERE WAS NO AED
AT THE AIRBNB HE WAS STAYING AT
AND HIS GIRLFRIEND AT THE TIME
DIDN'T REALLY KNOW CPR.
>> THE DISPATCHER WAS GIVING HER
INSTRUCTIONS, BUT HE KNEW THAT
SHE WAS EXTREMELY EMOTIONAL AND
FUMBLING SO HE INSTRUCTED HER TO

(20:04):
GET HELP.
AS A NURSE, I KNOW INSTRUCT THE
PERSON, YOU DON'T ASK THEM.
DO YOU KNOW CPR?
IF YOU'RE STUCK IN AN ELEVATOR
WITH SOMEONE WHO IS ABOUT TO
GIVE BIRTH, WE'RE NOT GOING TO
ASK YOU, DO YOU KNOW HOW TO
DELIVER A BABY?
WE'RE GOING TO SAY, YOU'RE GOING
TO DELIVER THIS BABY.
SO WHAT SHOULD'VE HAPPENED WITH
THE TRAINING WAS HE SHOULD'VE
SAID, GIVE SOME RESUSCITATION
BREATHS, THEN GO GET HELP.
SO HE WENT QUITE SOME TIME
WITHOUT OXYGEN AND THAT, TO ME,

(20:27):
CAUSED SOME PROBLEM.
DEHLER SAYS WHILE SHE DOESN'T
KNOW IF THE ISSUES WITH
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WERE THE
REASON HE DIDN'T SURVIVE, BEING
PREPARED AND KNOWING WHAT TO DO
CAN SAVE LIVES.
SHE SAYS IT HELPS TAKE CHAOS OUT
OF THE EQUATION
>>TO ASK A CIVILIAN TO HAVE AN
ACTION PLAN, TO START
RESUSCIATIONS, IS INTIMIDATING
IN A LOT OF WAYS.

(20:48):
BUT I THINK IF THEY HAVE THE
KNOWLEDGE, AND THEY READ SOME
PAMPHLETS ON IT, AND THEY WERE
EDUCATED ABOUT THE AED
DEFIBRILLATOR MACHINE, IT'S NOT
THAT DIFFICULT TO USE, THE FIRST
SEVERAL MOMENTS IS CRUCIAL.
AND IT WILL BE LIFESAVING
EFFORTS.
MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY SUDDEN
CARDIAC ARREST CAN OCCUR FOR A

(21:08):
VARIETY OF REASONS, INCLUDING
BLOOD CLOTS, SIDE EFFECTS FROM
MEDICATIONS, UNDERLYING
CONDITIONS LIKE CARDIOMYOPATHY,
AND EVEN IMPACT-BEING HIT WITH
THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF FORCE
CAUSING HEART ARITHMIAS.
DR. ROBERT PASS, THE CHIEF OF
PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY FOR MOUNT
SINAI, SAYS SUDDEN CARDIAC
ARREST MEANS THE HEART IS
BEATING TOO FAST.
>> OFTEN ABOVE 200 TO 250 BEATS

(21:29):
PER MINUTE IN A VERY
DISORGANIZED AND RAPID MANNER,
EITHER IN WHAT'S CALLED
VENTRICULAR TACHACARDIA OR MORE
COMMONLY VENTRICULAR
FIBRILLATION, AND EVENTUALLY,
WHEN THE HEART BEATS THAT
RAPIDLY, PARTICULARLY WITH
ARRHYTHMIA OF THE LOWER CHAMBER
OF THE HEART.
THE HEART CANNOT EJECT BLOOD
ADEQUATELY AND SO PATIENTS WILL

(21:49):
TYPICALLY FAINT AND HAVE WHAT IS
ESSENTIALLY CALLED A CARDIAC
ARREST.
>> PASS ADDS WHEN THIS HAPPENS,
PATIENTS ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH
BLOOD AND OXYGEN TO THEIR VITAL
ORGANS, WHICH CAN CAUSE SUDDEN
DEATH.
PASS SAYS THE UNDERLYING
CONDITION OF HYPERTROPHIC
CARDIOMYOPATHY IS ONE OF THE
MOST COMMON CAUSES OF SUDDEN
CARDIAC ARREST, ESPECIALLY FOR
CHILDREN.
HE SAYS OTHER UNDERLYING
CONDITIONS LIKE WOLFF PARKINSON

(22:09):
WHITE SYNDROME AND LONG QT CAN
CAUSE SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST, AND
PART OF THE ISSUE FOR KIDS IS
THEY ARE NOT EASILY DETECTED.
>> THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME, IF
WE EXAMINE A PATIENT, WE WILL
NOT ACTUALLY IDENTIFY THE
CONDITION AND THAT'S ONE OF THE
REASONS WHY RARELY THIS CAN
OCCUR.
EVEN IF A PATIENT IS DOING ALL
THE RIGHT THINGS, IS SEEING THE

(22:31):
DOCTOR, IS HAVING THE PROPER
FOLLOW-UP, SOME OF THESE
CONDITIONS IN THE ABSENCE OF AN
EKG OR AN ECHO CARDIOGRAM, WE
MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TELL.
>> A LESS COMMON CAUSE IS
IMPACT, OR COMMOTIO CORTIS.
>> FOR EXAMPLE, HAMLIN WENT INTO
SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST ON THE
FOOTBALL FIELD BECAUSE HE WAS
HIT WITH THE EXACT AMOUNT OF
FORCE AT THE PRECISE MOMENT IN

(22:51):
THE HEART'S ELECTRICAL
CONDUCTION TO CAUSE THE HEART TO
GO INTO DISTRESS.
DR. PASS SAYS HAMLIN IS THE
PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW CRITICAL
BOTH AEDS AND CPR ARE.
HE IS COMPLETELY HEALTHY AND
COMPLETELY FINE, AND IT'S ONLY
BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO WERE THE
FIRST RESPONDERS HAD AN AED,
KNEW HOW TO USE IT, AND WERE
CONFIDENT IN USING IT AND

(23:13):
PERFORMING CPR.
AND THAT'S WHY NOT ONLY HE'S
ALIVE BUT HE'S A PROFESSIONAL
ATHLETE AND HIS BRAIN IS
COMPLETELY FINE BECAUSE OF THE
SKILLSET AND THE EQUIPMENT AND
THE QUICK THINKING OF THE PEOPLE
WHO WERE RIGHT THERE.
>> SENATOR BASKIN AGREES, SAYING
AT THE BILL SIGNING IN JULY THAT
SHE COULDN'T HELP BUT THINK OF
HAMLIN AND HOW HIS LIFE WAS

(23:34):
SAVED BECAUSE OF THE IMMEDIATE
RESPONSE.
>> THE NATION WATCHED AS OUR
BELOVED AND TALENTED ATHLETE
FOUGHT FOR HIS LIFE RIGHT BEFORE
US ON THE BILLS' FIELD.
MR. HAMLIN IS STILL HERE TODAY
AND HE IS A VALUED MEMBER OF THE
BUFFALO BILLS' DEFENSE.
>> PASS ADDS THAT BOTH CPR AND
AN AED CAN HELP REDUCE THE RISK

(23:54):
OF DEATH IN SUDDEN CARDIAC
ARREST AND SERIOUS NEUROLOGICAL
CONSEQUENCES, BUT THE TIMING IS
IMPORTANT.
>> IF SOMEBODY DOES NOT HAVE
RAPID RESPONSE TO IT AND BY
THAT, I MEAN IN THE FIRST TWO OR
THREE MINUTES, IT'S BEEN
ESTIMATED THAT LESS THAN 10% OF
PEOPLE WILL EVEN SURVIVE SUCH AN
EVENT IF IT HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF A
HOSPITAL SETTING.
>> HE SAYS CHANCES OF SURVIVAL

(24:16):
WITH IMMEDIATE RESPONSE OUTSIDE
A HOSPITAL CAN IMPROVE TO ABOUT
70%.
PARTS OF THE NEW LAW WILL TAKE
EFFECT THIS WEEK AND OTHER PARTS
WILL TAKE EFFECT IN ABOUT 5
MONTHS.
SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR
RESPONSE TO SUDDEN CARDIAC
ARREST INCLUDED IN THE SCHOOLS'
BUILDING LEVEL EMERGENCY
RESPONSE PLANS BY SEPTEMBER 1ST.
BY JANUARY 20, 2026, SCHOOLS
WILL BE REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT

(24:36):
DISTRICT-WIDE SCHOOL SAFETY
PLANS FOR CARDIAC EMERGENCY
RESPONSE.
SOME STATE LAWMAKERS SAY THEY
ARE CONFIDENT IN SCHOOLS'
ABILITY TO PUT EMERGENCY PLANS
TOGETHER.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER STEVE OTIS, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
WESTCHESTER, SAYS HE IS
CONFIDENT IN SCHOOL OFFICIALS.
>> I THINK THAT THE SCHOOL
OFFICIALS, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
AND SUPERINTENDENTS UNDERSTAND
WHAT'S AT STAKE HERE AND SO I

(24:57):
THINK THE PLANNING PROCESS FOR
THIS IS ACTUALLY NOT THAT
COMPLICATED, THE BURDEN IS NOT
THAT HIGH.
>> ADAMS SAYS THE BEST THING FOR
SCHOOLS TO DO AS THEY WORK ON
THESE EXTRA STEPS IS TO
COORDINATE WITH THEIR MEDICAL
TEAM.
>> I WOULD THINK THAT THE SCHOOL
DISTRICTS WOULD WORK ALONGSIDE
THEIR MEDICAL DIRECTORS AND
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO
MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE

(25:17):
IMPLEMENTING PROPERLY.
>> WHILE MANY ADVOCATES AND
LAWMAKERS SAY THIS NEW LAW IS A
STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION,
THERE'S MORE THAT COULD BE DONE.
SOLAGES SAYS SHE IS PLANNIN TO
ADVOCATE FOR MORE FUNDING IN THE
STATE BUDGET NEXT YEAR FOR
SCHOOLS TO PURCHASE AEDS.
>> I'M STILL GOING TO ADVOCATE
FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO SCHOOL
DISTRICTS SO THAT THEY CAN BUY
MORE AEDS.
IN MY THOUGHT, YOU CAN'T HAVE

(25:38):
ENOUGH.
ADAMS SAYS MORE FUNDING WILL
HELP SCHOOLS WHO MAY NOT HAVE
ENOUGH AEDS OR NOT ENOUGH
WORKING AEDS
>> I THINK THE FUNDING IS
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BECAUSE AN
AED MACHINE RUNS FROM $1,200 TO
ABOUT $3,000, AND THAT'S JUST
THE MACHINE IN AND OF ITSELF.
HOWEVER, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE
MAINTENANCE OF THE MACHINE TO
MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS
STILL WORKING SO IF AN EMERGENCY

(26:00):
HAPPENS, IT'S NOT BECAUSE, YOU
KNOW, SOMETHING DOESN'T
NEGATIVELY HAPPEN BECAUSE IT'S A
DEFECTIVE MACHINE.
>> SOME ADVOCATES SAY LAWMAKERS
SHOULD ALSO LOOK AT AREAS WHERE
AEDS AREN'T MANDATED AND EXPAND
THAT ACCESSIBILITY.
THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO
BE ON THE LAWMAKERS' MINDS FOR
WHEN THEY RETURN FOR THE NEXT
LEGISLATIVE SESSION COME
JANUARY.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES IN THEIR
DEVELOPMENT ARE UNCLEAR AT THIS

(26:21):
POINT, BUT BUDGET CONVERSATION
THE SEEM TO BE A PRIORITY FOR
LAWMAKERS ON THIS ISSUE.
ELISE KLINE, "NEW YORK NOW."
[THEME MUSIC]
>> WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
THANK YOU FOR TUNING AND SEE YOU
NEXT WEEK.

>>ANNOUNCER (26:42):
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YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.