Citing statistics from the American Heart Association that more than 95 percent of cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital, Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. recently announced that the Senate passed legislation he co-sponsored which would require that Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) be added to high school physical education curriculums.

"A bystander trained in CPR can help keep a cardiac arrest victim alive because CPR helps keep blood flowing to the heart and brain until defibrillation can be administered Fuschillo said. By requiring high school students to be trained in CPR, we will be arming more people with the skills that will help save lives."

The American Heart Association states that sudden cardiac death from coronary heart disease occurs over 600 times per day in the United States.

According to Fuschillo, the legislation would require senior high schools to provide CPR instruction as part of the physical education curriculum. This bill would also ensure that such instructions are properly given and that all lessons meet the established standards of professional organizations such as the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.

The legislation would not require high school students to become certified in CPR, but simply give them the necessary training.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. recently announced that the New York State Senate passed legislation that requires expanded insurance coverage for prevention, early detection and treatment of breast and cervical cancer, osteoporosis and other women's health needs.

"The revised 'Women's Health' bill, which provides women with expanded access to a broad range of critical health care services, continues the Senate's long history of promoting and supporting measures that enhance women's health and that of all New Yorkers," Fuschillo said. From measures designed to promote early detection of breast cancer to ending risky medical practices like 'drive-thru' births, the Senate has shown the way to protecting and enhancing women's health care. This bill represents another leap forward in promoting healthy lives."

The bill, S.5626, amends and enhances an earlier measure already passed by the Senate. It closes several loopholes in existing law that limited some women's access to early detection screenings for breast and cervical cancer. Additionally, it provides coverage according to nationally recognized criteria for women to detect and treat osteoporosis, a bone-weakening condition that affects nearly half of women, usually by age 50.

"This bill will make New York a leader in the fight to prevent and treat osteoporosis, just as we have always been in the forefront of fighting to protect women's health," Fuschillo said. "In addition, by encouraging early detection and prevention, this bill will save women from the effects of debilitating and potentially deadly diseases like cancer, and it will encourage them to take early steps that will allow them to stay healthy and active throughout their lives."

The Senate's Women's Health bill requires contraceptive drugs and devices be included in the prescription coverage provided by insurers and HMOs. Many employers and health plans already include such coverage.

As with other laws already enacted, religious organizations with faith-based objections to providing such coverage may be exempt subject to oversight by the State Insurance Superintendent. At lease nine of 13 states that statutorily require contraceptive coverage have similar exemption provisions for religious organizations.

Eligible women affected by the opt out provisions could subscribe to receive contraceptive coverage at the same, lower-priced group rate that would have been available to their employer.

"This Women's Health bill would not leave one woman behind in providing coverage for services they need and deserve," said Fuschillo. "It's time for the Assembly to stop playing politics, come to the table and reach an agreement that will help save women's lives."

New York - led by the Senate - has been a trailblazer in expanding required coverage for women's health needs. Earlier laws originally hatched in the Senate required coverage for early testing for breast and cervical cancer when treatment options offer the best hope for full and healthful recovery, required coverage for post-treatment breast reconstruction, and ended such dubious practices as "drive-thru" child births and mastectomies.

"These earlier efforts have certainly resulted in dramatic declines in the number of women who were previously undiagnosed with often preventable and treatable diseases," said Fuschillo. "The Women's Health bill builds on this strong tradition of concern and caring for New York women and their health needs."