Legislative Agenda Update: Delaware As the legislative session continues, we are working hard to advance our policy priorities. Here's a quick update to keep you up-to-speed with the goings-on at the Capitol!


As always, you can help our efforts by taking action on our alerts! Check http://www.yourethecure.org/ today to make sure that you're up-to-date with the issues that matter to you!

♥ Support Tobacco Control, Prevention, & Cessation Programs
Protect the State’s Tobacco Prevention Programs from elimination as proposed in the Governor’s Recommended Budget. Ensure that Delaware continues to fund Tobacco Control, Prevention, & Cessation Programs at levels above CDC minimum recommendations, and seek opportunities to grow funding for media, counseling services, pharmacological services, youth programming, and other tobacco control efforts. CDC estimates that the annual costs to implement all of the recommended program components in Delaware range from $9.3M to $18.7M according to their 2007 Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs.

♥ Support Physical Activity and Healthy Eating in the School Environment, and Support Physical Activity and Healthy Eating in the Community Environment
The American Heart Association will lead and collaborate with the Delaware Healthy Eating and Active Living Coalition (DE HEAL) to incorporate policy, systems, and environmental changes that weave better eating and increased activity into the lives of all Delawareans. This coalition and it’s numerous participants are working together to change the health care setting, communities, schools, everywhere that people live, play, learn, and work.

♥ Funding for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Promote Comprehensive Cardiovascular Disease Surveillance Systems, Promote Quality Improvement Initiatives, and Promote Quality Through Adherence to Clinical Guidelines & Treatment Protocols
Create and adequately fund a state level Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program in the Division of Public Health (as proposed in SB 66 145th Del. GA).

Ensure that this program is aligned with the CDC’s Heart and Stroke Prevention Program and is optimally positioned to leverage both state and federal resources to reduce morbidity and mortality from heart disease and stroke. Estimated funding required is at least $500,000 or more.

♥ Promote Quality Improvement Initiatives, Coordinated Stroke Systems of Care, and Support Strong EMS Systems and EMS Triage and Transport Protocols
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association will advocate for the establishment of a stroke registry; funding for promotional, informational, and educational campaign(s) on stroke aimed at the general public and medical professionals; and treatment, triage, and transfer protocols utilizing an integrated map of Delaware area hospitals and their capabilities. As hospitals in Delaware attain Primary Stroke Center designation AHA/ASA will explore options for bypass protocols, regulations, and/or law to ensure patients are delivered to the hospitals best able to treat them with the most up-to-date and promising treatment protocols and procedures.

♥ Chain and Fast-Food Restaurant Menu Labeling (Calories)
The American Heart Association in collaboration with numerous health interests and other stakeholders will work for passage of SB 81 during the upcoming legislative session. This legislation is aimed at curbing obesity in the community and was developed by the AHA and the Delaware Center for Health Promotion.
This update is part of our legislative updates series. The first post on Delaware's legislative agenda can be found here.