TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Joseph F. Vitale which would establish the “New Jersey Student Athlete Cardiac Screening Task Force” within the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) was unanimously approved today by the Senate Education Committee.

            “This bill has been around for a while, and in essence, it is the result of a number of student athletes suffering heart attacks while playing sports,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “I’ve met with various cardiologists and medical associations, and this bill is designed to put together a task force of cardiac professionals, to examine the current screening process and ensure that we are up to date on the latest methods and technologies involved with these screenings.  The bill’s intent is to find the best possible methods to better assess these student athletes.”

            “Heart disease doesn’t just affect the elderly, overweight, or inactive,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, who Chairs the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Panel.  “We are seeing more and more cases of heart conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy among children, but because these conditions are virtually undetectable without cardiac screening, it is imperative that students undergo these tests before participating in strenuous activities like playing for school sports teams.  This task force would be responsible for studying and evaluating ways to help put an end to these preventable deaths in student athletes.”

VITALE-WEINBERG BILL TO REQUIRE HEALTH BENEFITS COVERAGE FOR AUTISM TREATMENT ADVANCES IN COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Loretta Weinberg which would require health insurers in New Jersey to provide coverage for screening for autism and other developmental disabilities as well as any medically-necessary occupational, physical and speech therapy, was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

“Autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities can cause an enormous strain, not just on the child affected, but on the parents looking to provide every opportunity for their autistic son or daughter,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, and Chairman of the Senate Health Committee. “Behavioral intervention can mean the difference between a lifetime of communications and learning difficulties, and the possibility of overcoming many of the difficulties associated with autism and other developmental disabilities. Health insurers have a responsibility to give kids access to the sort of treatments and therapies which can make a major difference in their lives.”

PREVIEW - SENATE COMMITTEES TO REVIEW COAH, UNDERAGE DRINKING MONDAY

Committees Will Also Look at ‘Silver Alert’ for Missing Persons; Public Reporting of Hospital Errors

TRENTON – On Monday, Senate Committees will meet to review current issues impacting affordable housing in New Jersey, including efforts to reform the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH), and the Governor’s calls to delay a 2.5% commercial developer’s fee in light of the current national economic crisis.

GENETIC COUNSELING REGULATION APPROVED IN STATE SENATE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale, Jim Whelan, Shirley K. Turner and Nia H. Gill which would create a system of licensure and accountability for genetic counselors in the State of New Jersey was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 38-0.

“The future of medicine – particularly in the area of designer drugs, personalized medicine and custom-made health plans – is going to depend on genetic counseling,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “With this bill, we would put into place a regulatory structure to provide needed oversight and accountability for these health care professionals who can do so much to expand the effectiveness and affordability of health care moving forward. This bill is about making sure New Jersey has the foresight needed to meet the health care challenges of tomorrow, and ensure accountability and standards in the burgeoning genetic counseling field.”

VITALE UNVEILS PLAN FOR HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR ALL NEW JERSEY

TRENTON –Senator Joseph F. Vitale, a longtime advocate for affordable and accessible health care coverage, today announced an ambitious and transformational health care reform package aimed at covering all New Jersey residents by the year 2011.

VITALE BILL TO BAN SALE OF FLAVORED CIGARETTES APPROVED BY SENATE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Barbara Buono which would prohibit the sale of certain flavored cigarettes in the State of New Jersey was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 34-1.

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale, which would allow State psychiatric hospitals to ban on-campus smoking, as long as a smoking cessation program is offered for clients, patient and employees was approved today by the full Senate by a vote of 25-11.

            “This bill would do for residents at psychiatric hospitals what they and others around the world might not be able to do for themselves – stop smoking,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, who chairs the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.  “Statistics have shown that the impact of cigarettes and nicotine at psychiatric facilities is higher for a number of reasons, including deeper inhalation, and the increased negative effect that nicotine can have when combined with psychotropic drugs.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would allow State psychiatric hospitals to ban on-campus smoking, as long as a smoking cessation program is offered for clients, patients and employees, was unanimously approved today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

            “Statistics have shown that the impact of cigarettes and nicotine at psychiatric facilities is higher for a number of reasons, including deeper inhalation, and the negative effect nicotine can have on psychotropic drugs,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, who chairs the panel.  “This legislation would send a clear message that we are dedicated to protecting the health of clients, patients and employees at these facilities.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Loretta Weinberg which would require health care facilities to establish guidelines for safe patient handling received final legislative approval today by the full Assembly, by a vote of 77-3.

            “The goal of this bill is to cut down on the risk of injury to patients and care givers,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.  “The effectiveness of the program lies in its development, implementation and monitoring.  Health care facilities must develop realistic patient handling plans and the Departments of Health and Senior Services and Human Services must maintain an active role in monitoring the programs.  This must be a joint effort.”

            “It is way past time for New Jersey to adopt safe handling legislation that helps to protect patients and those who care for them,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen, who is a member of the Senate Health panel.  “There is always a risk of injury when dealing with transporting patients, but this bill would set up safety guidelines to help reduce the number and the severity of the injuries for all parties involved.”