New Washington State Law to Help Children with Food Allergies

March 31, 2014 Uma Pisharody, MD, FAAP

It is with great happiness that I update an earlier blog posted several months ago with the news that patients with food allergies now have a law that helps them afford their treatment.  On Friday March 28th, Governor Jay Inslee signed a law that makes Washington the most recent state in the country to set a mandate for medical coverage of elemental formulas in the treatment of Eosinophilic GI disorders (EGIDs).  EGIDs are a severe form of gastrointestinal inflammation that results from food allergy. 

Pictured here, along with Gov. Inslee are the true heroes of this herculean grassroots effort that was spearheaded by the parents of local children afflicted with this debilitating disorder.  I feel honored to have been a very small part of this.   SHB 2153 took over 2 years to pass, countless hours of volunteer service, and will become law in 90 days.  It takes full effect no later than December 31, 2015.

You can read the law in its entirety here:  Washington State Legislature.

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