NY A09821

Establishes a Minority Coordinating Council on Asthmatic Affairs to be appointed by the Commissioner of Health with members representing regions with significant minority populations and health care professionals experienced in asthma prevention and treatment.

Council tasked with assessing asthma risk factors for minority citizens across the state, counties, and regions, and identifying barriers to quality asthma treatment and care among minorities.

Requires the council to develop action steps for addressing asthma care issues and launch a state-wide awareness campaign to educate citizens about asthma disease, symptoms, and management through prevention.

Addresses documented disparities in asthma burden affecting African-American and Hispanic populations disproportionately, with over 1.6 million New Yorkers having asthma and an estimated annual cost of nearly $18 billion.

Known as the "Lydia Soto law" and referred to the Committee on Health.