WASHINGTON – Legislation
that would upgrade emergency medical supplies to include child-sized doses
aboard passenger aircraft has been included in the House-passed FAA reauthorization
bill.
Congressmen John Faso (R, Kinderhook) and Sean Patrick Maloney (D, Cold
Spring) authored the measure.
“Airlines should equip their fleets with life-saving medical supplies
that meet the specific needs of children,” Faso said. “An
airline should never be unprepared or ill-equipped, especially at 30,000
feet in the air.”
Maloney said that most people do not know that if their child has a medical
problem while on a plane, airlines are under no obligation to carry right-sized
equipment or medication to care for them. Parents should be able to fly
with peace of mind – and that means airlines should be equipped
to handle medical emergencies for all of their passengers – regardless
of age.”
Dr. Colleen Kraft, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, sat
currently, “the emergency medical kits on airplanes are not equipped
to meet children’s unique needs; the Airplane Kids in Transit Safety
(KITS) act would fix that.”
