Massachusetts advocates rally on Capitol Hill for cardiac emergency preparedness in schools

Washington, D.C. witnessed a powerful display of grassroots advocacy recently as over 200 American Heart Association supporters converged on Capitol Hill. Their mission? To champion federal policies ensuring schools are ready to respond to cardiac emergencies.

This “Hearts on the Hill” event, organized by American Heart Association’s You’re the Cure network on May 22-23, aligns with the Association’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.

Advocates met with lawmakers to discuss two critical bipartisan bills:

  1. The Access to AEDs Act
  2. The Cardiomyopathy Health, Education, Awareness, Research and Training in Schools (HEARTS) Act

These bills aim to empower schools by:

  • Developing comprehensive cardiac emergency response plans
  • Funding the purchase of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and related equipment
  • Providing CPR/AED training to students, staff and coaches

Advocates’ passion stems from personal experiences. Many have been directly impacted by cardiac events. Their stories underscore the urgent need for these life-saving measures.

Watch this video shot in Washington, DC, featuring advocates from Massachusetts, as well as other East Coast states, discussing their reasons for supporting this life-saving legislation .