The second leg of the 145th Delaware General Assembly demonstrated the strong capacity of the American Heart Association’s You’re the Cure advocates to influence the legislative process. Below are some significant highlights:
♥ Advocates pushed back when the Administration proposed eliminating tobacco prevention and control programs from the budget and the Delaware Health Fund (Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement Account). These cuts were restored by the Joint Finance Committee during the budget mark-up ensuring that Delaware continues to invest in reducing youth initiation and supporting cessation of tobacco use.
♥ Legislation requiring chain and fast-food restaurants to post calorie counts on their menus and menu boards passed the State Senate but was then held when national menu labeling provisions were incorporated into the federal health reform bill. Advocates in Delaware tirelessly pushed this public health policy forward and are ultimately responsible for its inclusion in the national health reform act.
♥ The American Heart Association continued to stress the need for a coordinated heart disease and stroke prevention program in the Division of Public Health through Senate Bill 66. While budget concerns prevented this measure from moving forward it has been critical that we keep the issue in front of key decision makers’.
♥ Legislation banning artificial trans fats from foods made available in public schools passed the Delaware House of Representatives but was held up in the Senate Finance Committee. The American Heart Association worked with the sponsor to support the measure and we hope to expand the scope of the proposal to deal with school nutrition policy more broadly in the upcoming session.
The American Heart Association and our You’re the Cure advocates made other exciting progress this year as well. A Resolution recognizing CPR and AED Awareness week and encouraging 150 minutes of rigorous physical activity for public and private school students passed the General Assembly. The Governor signed executive orders requiring “complete streets” planning and creating a “health promotion and disease prevention council”. Also the American Heart Association’s State Advocacy Director was elected and now serves as Chair of the Delaware Healthy Eating and Active Living Coalition. Thank you for supporting our mission as a You’re the Cure advocate.
♥ Advocates pushed back when the Administration proposed eliminating tobacco prevention and control programs from the budget and the Delaware Health Fund (Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement Account). These cuts were restored by the Joint Finance Committee during the budget mark-up ensuring that Delaware continues to invest in reducing youth initiation and supporting cessation of tobacco use.
♥ Legislation requiring chain and fast-food restaurants to post calorie counts on their menus and menu boards passed the State Senate but was then held when national menu labeling provisions were incorporated into the federal health reform bill. Advocates in Delaware tirelessly pushed this public health policy forward and are ultimately responsible for its inclusion in the national health reform act.
♥ The American Heart Association continued to stress the need for a coordinated heart disease and stroke prevention program in the Division of Public Health through Senate Bill 66. While budget concerns prevented this measure from moving forward it has been critical that we keep the issue in front of key decision makers’.
♥ Legislation banning artificial trans fats from foods made available in public schools passed the Delaware House of Representatives but was held up in the Senate Finance Committee. The American Heart Association worked with the sponsor to support the measure and we hope to expand the scope of the proposal to deal with school nutrition policy more broadly in the upcoming session.
The American Heart Association and our You’re the Cure advocates made other exciting progress this year as well. A Resolution recognizing CPR and AED Awareness week and encouraging 150 minutes of rigorous physical activity for public and private school students passed the General Assembly. The Governor signed executive orders requiring “complete streets” planning and creating a “health promotion and disease prevention council”. Also the American Heart Association’s State Advocacy Director was elected and now serves as Chair of the Delaware Healthy Eating and Active Living Coalition. Thank you for supporting our mission as a You’re the Cure advocate.
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