Gillibrand proposes comprehensive plan to fight asthma

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) is on a mission to make sure America's kids can breathe easy.

The freshman senator announced a plan last week to provide federal aid for children suffering from asthma, including the estimated 370,000 young sufferers in Gillibrand's home state. Gillibrand, whose five-year-old son Theodore has asthma, said she understands how important access to medication is.

"It is very scary for any parent when your child can't breathe and there is nothing you can do," Gillibrand said.

But providing increased access to inhalers isn't the only thing Gillibrand's plan sets out to do. The comprehensive approach would also provide funds to train more "asthma educators" and develop individualized asthma management plans for students.

We've seen the senator tackle tough issues before, and there's no doubt kids with asthma have a strong ally in Kirsten Gillibrand.