The mission of the American Heart Association is: Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
The American Heart Association / American Stroke Association supports and advocates for public policies that will help reduce coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010. The following are the public policy priorities for Pennsylvania in 2009-2010.

♥ Heart Disease and Stroke Funding
While Pennsylvania does have a Heart Disease and Stroke Program through the PA Department of Health, the federal funding that solely supports its operations is not guaranteed each year. There is no state funding to support efforts to address the #1 and #3 leading causes of death. House Bill 816 would expand current functions of the Department of Health that promote best practices in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke. We will work to pass House Bill 816 first to establish a strong statewide policy to address heart disease and stroke. We will then work to secure state funding to support implementation of House Bill 816.

♥ Quality of Care
Pennsylvania hospitals do not have a consistent set of measures or benchmarks to ensure quality care for stroke patients. We will work to ensure that all Pennsylvania hospitals are equipped with Get With the Guidelines as the state stroke registry data platform by passing House Bill 816, which would establish a framework for reaching this measure.

♥ Obesity Prevention
Pennsylvania, along with the rest of the nation, is in the grips of an obesity epidemic. Too many people are taking in too many calories and are not getting enough physical activity and this is especially true for our children.

• School Nutrition
  Schools are an especially effective and efficient environment for modeling healthy food choices and helping to instill in children lifelong behaviors of health and physical activity. Science tells us that eating and drinking a diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat and non-dairy products, coupled with foods low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol and added sugar and salt can significantly reduce one’s risk for becoming overweight or obese. But, yet so many of our schools have beverage, snack and a la carte items that have little nutritional value and are high in fats, sugars and sodium. We will work to ensure that more fruits, vegetables and other nutritious foods and beverages are substituted and offered all throughout the school day.
  
• Physical Education
  Schools should promote a learning environment that integrates physical activity and education. Pennsylvania does not require PE as a condition for graduation, nor does it establish minute requirements for PE. We will work to promote quality PE by establishing mandatory minute standards, requiring physical education as a condition for graduation, and promoting physical activity and healthy food choices in our schools and throughout the community.
  
• Menu Labeling
  The AHA believes that educated consumers, armed with the right nutrition information, can make healthier choices when they eat out. We will work to strongly advocate for calorie labeling on all menus and menu boards at the point-of-purchase in restaurants with standardized menus and recipes.

♥ Chain of Survival
Pennsylvania’s Good Samaritan law provides civil immunity for lay rescuers, but the law is currently written in a way that provides program facilitators with civil immunity only if the AED program requirements are met. There is also currently no requirement that all schools implement an AED program. We will identify a legislative champion to support expanding Good Samaritan civil immunity to include program facilitators regardless of if the AED program requirements are met. We will also work to ensure all school buildings are equipped with an AED, in addition to implementation of Medical Emergency Response Plans that follow AHA guidelines.

♥ Tobacco Control
Pennsylvania passed a smoke-free law for public workplaces, but it provides for several exemptions to public places where people will be allowed to smoke. While Pennsylvania remains above the national average in its cigarette excise tax, the national average is quickly catching up to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania also remains the only state in the nation that does not tax other tobacco products (OTP). We will work to: Strengthen and protect smoke-free workplace laws and remove Pennsylvania’s preemption provision; support significant increases in tobacco excise taxes at all levels of government; and support tobacco control Prevention and treatment programs.

♥ Quality and Availability of Care
Our nation is in the midst of a health care crisis and state and federal governments are grappling over how to best reform our health care delivery system. We will continue to monitor legislative proposals that promote access to health care, expanded coverage for pre-existing conditions, scientifically-based pay-for performance and health information technology.


This is the beginning of a new series on our legislative work. First, we will share the legislative agendas of each state. In a few months, we will share a legislative update to inform advocates of where we stand on our set agenda. Finally, we will have a wrap-up post at the end of legislative session to share our final results.

The mission of the American Heart Association is: Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

The American Heart Association / American Stroke Association supports and advocates for public policies that will help reduce coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010. The following are the public policy priorities for Kentucky in 2009-2010.

♥ Obesity Prevention
Promote efforts within the school environment that will lead to increased physical activity. For 2009-2010, this will include legislation to require the incorporation of physical activity into the school day in addition to physical education.

Promote efforts within the community environment that will lead to increased physical activity and healthy eating. For 2009-2010, this will include legislation to require calorie information on menu boards (menu labeling legislation) and legislation to provide employer-based tax credits for comprehensive worksite wellness programs.

♥ Tobacco Control
Continue to provide support for local comprehensive smoke free policies and begin a more proactive education campaign for state lawmakers.

Secure $1.5 million in state matching funds for the implementation of Medicaid smoking cessation services.

♥ Funding for Heart Disease and Stroke Research and Prevention
Secure state appropriations to support the DPH Heart Disease and Stroke Program. The policy focus for 2009-2010 will be to secure an ongoing appropriation of at least $200,000/year, which will enable DPH to apply for a $1million/yr CDC implementation grant.


♥ Acute Cardiovascular Care
Promote efforts to create a coordinated statewide system of care for the treatment of stroke patients. For 2009-2010, this will include legislation to recognize the designation of Primary Stroke Centers.

This is the beginning of a new series on our legislative work. First, we will share the legislative agendas of each state. In a few months, we will share a legislative update to inform advocates of where we stand on our set agenda. Finally, we will have a wrap-up post at the end of legislative session to share our final results.

Medical research saves lives and improves quality of life. In the last 30 years, death rates from cardiovascular disease have dropped by 63 percent and by 70 percent for stroke. For more information, visit researchsaveslives.org.

The mission of the American Heart Association is: Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

The American Heart Association / American Stroke Association supports and advocates for public policies that will help reduce coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010. The following are the public policy priorities for Delaware in 2009-2010.

♥ Chain and Fast-Food Restaurant Menu Labeling (Calories)
We, in collaboration with numerous health interests and other stakeholders, will work for passage of SB 81 (with further friendly amendments – requiring calories only on menus and menu boards alongside items offered for sale) 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.

♥ Funding for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
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.

♥ Establish STEMI Systems of Care
In Delaware, we have convened a statewide Mission: Lifeline stakeholder working group comprised of all the state’s hospitals, the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Emergency Physicians, state and county EMS, and the state hospital association (Delaware Healthcare Association). The M:L working group will be utilized to advance the penetration of Action Registry-Get with the Guidelines and eventually advocate for use of this data tool for a statewide data registry focused on achieving continuous quality improvement (CQI) in the quality of care and outcomes for STEMI patients.


♥ Promote Quality Improvement Initiatives, Coordinated Stroke Systems of Care, and Support Strong EMS Systems and EMS Triage and Transport Protocols
We 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.

♥ Support Physical Activity and Healthy Eating in the School Environment, and Support Physical Activity and Healthy Eating in the Community Environment
We will continue to collaborate with Nemours Health and Prevention Services and the Department of Education to support physical activity and quality physical education in schools across the states. We will work to align Nemours food and beverage guidance to schools with our own, as well as working to implement those recommendations into statewide uniform school policy. We will also support NHPS activities funded through the US Dept. of Ed. PEP grant award.

♥ Support Tobacco Control, Prevention, & Cessation Programs
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. Delaware’s Tobacco Control, Prevention, & Cessation Programs have been faced funding cuts equal to cuts in the overall budget in all recent years. 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.

This is the beginning of a new series on our legislative work. First, we will share the legislative agendas of each state. In a few months, we will share a legislative update to inform advocates of where we stand on our set agenda. Finally, we will have a wrap-up post at the end of legislative session to share our final results.

Fewer investigators are pursuing careers in science. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), budget shortfalls mean fewer new grant applications will be accepted. Only one of five new grants was selected in 2006. Low approval rates discourage investigators from pursuing careers in science in the United States. To help make sure there’s enough funding for new investigators, visit researchsaveslives.org.

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers in our nation, but the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invests only 4 percent on heart research and a mere 1 percent on stroke research. As baby boomers age, heart disease deaths are projected to dramatically increase and deaths from the most common form of stroke are projected to nearly double. Learn how you can help by visiting researchsaveslives.org.

Heart disease and stroke place a tremendous burden on our nation’s economy. On the federal level, the American Heart Association supports increasing the nation’s investment in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to 7 percent by 2010 to reduce death and disability from these costly diseases. To help with this effort, please visit researchsaveslives.org.

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2009 --We are quite concerned that the funding level for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that was approved by the Senate health appropriations subcommittee is not where it needs to be to sustain medical research advances that can improve the lives of millions of Americans who suffer from heart disease and stroke. The 1.5 percent increase will not even cover the cost of medical research inflation nor will it allow researchers to explore many promising new scientific opportunities. The implications of this funding level could be chilling next year when the one-time resources for the NIH in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) expire. We urge the Congress to avoid the peak and valley approach in supporting the NIH that has delayed progress in the battle against heart disease and stroke and other chronic illnesses.

The association commends the Senate subcommittee for concurring with House appropriators in sticking to their policy of allowing the science, rather than politics, to determine how funding should be allocated for different diseases. With only four-percent of its budget for heart research and a mere one-percent for stroke research, the NIH does not have sufficient resources to support innovative research. The association strongly believes that funding should be based on the burden of disease and other criteria established by the NIH.

Strategies to prevent heart disease and stroke must also remain a priority for Congress. The 5.8 percent increase for the CDC’s Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program is a step in the right direction and we applaud the Senate subcommittee for including $21 million for the WISEWOMAN program. However, we’re disappointed the Senate failed to provide a funding increase for HRSA’s Rural and Community Access to Emergency Devices Program. Presently, only 12 states receive funding for this essential program which helps more Americans survive sudden cardiac arrest.

We urge conferees to boost funding levels to help sustain and expand critical heart disease and stroke research and prevention programs that will benefit all Americans and future generations. Specifically, we advocate for the House-passed funding levels for the NIH and HRSA’s Rural and Community Access to Emergency Devices Program and the Senate Subcommittee-approved funding levels for the CDC’s Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and WISEWOMAN programs.

The Center for Disease Control recently announced funding for several cardiovascular disease programs. Several health departments in our area were positively impacted. Here are details from the CDC:

The CDC Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP) has completed its continuation funding process. Funding through the National Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program continues in 41 States and the District of Columbia. Funding for the Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) Program continues in 19 States and two Tribal Organizations. Continuation funding is also provided for four Stroke Networks, seven Optional projects, and six Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registries. With a modest increase in resources, DHDSP is able to fund seven new Optional projects in Arizona, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, and Oregon. Additionally, Arkansas, California, Iowa, and Wisconsin are receiving one-time funding to support stroke quality improvement.

Beginning June 30, 2009 the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention funded the following:

As part of the National Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, Kentucky and Ohio were funded for capacity building. Capacity Building Programs enhance partnerships, define the burden of heart disease and stroke, develop a comprehensive State plan, and pilot interventions. Kentucky received additional, optional Capacity Building funding to support demonstration intervention activities that address the CDC program priority areas 1-6.

In addition, West Virginia received Basic Implementation (BI) Program funding. With BI funding, they will be able to implement, disseminate, and evaluate intervention activities that address the State plan objectives and the CDC program priority areas 1-6. The state is also receiving WiseWoman funding. West Virginia will have programming to provide low-income, under insured or uninsured women aged 40-64 years with chronic disease risk factor screening, lifestyle intervention, and referral services in an effort to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Fortunately, the good news doesn't stop with just cardiovascular funding! Four regional stroke networks were funded. Ohio is part of the Great Lakes Stroke Network, which is based out of Illinois. According to the CDC, "The Networks increase the ability of State health departments and other members to work across State boundaries and leverage efforts within the region to encourage stroke-related activities. Activities focus on enhancing partnerships, education, collaboration, and policy and systems change strategies."

Lastly, Ohio received two funding streams related to the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry. The state was allocated dollars for a registry project to measure quality of care for acute stroke patients and implement quality improvement strategies that focus on policy, systems change, and professional education to improve stroke treatment. Additionally, Ohio received supplemental funding for Stroke Outcomes Evaluation.

Congratulations to all funded states!

Watch and respond to future alerts on CDC funding to help move all states into the funded category!

At the close of the first leg of the 145th session of the General Assembly, the American Heart Association can count a significant victory in tobacco prevention and major progress on other issues this session.


Not only did we make strides in reducing youth smoking by raising Delaware’s cigarette excise tax by 45-cents, but discussed a strong menu labeling bill for the state. We also reintroduced our heart disease and stroke prevention legislation. Our fantastic lobby day volunteers built a strong case for support and we’re eager to work on advancing both bills next year. We look forward to furthering our advocacy efforts with your help. Stay tuned as we continue on this worthwhile journey!

Like most states, Pennsylvania faces an enormous budget deficit, which has created a shift in how we’re advocating for heart disease and stroke funding. We continue to support passage of HB 816 - which would expand Pennsylvania’s Heart Disease and Stroke Program and further improve the quality of care stroke patients receive in the hospital – but will be including a provision that would delay implementation until funds are available. This approach will allow the bill to move forward and establish a strong policy foundation so that we can advocate for funds when state budgets are restored.

Thank you to all our great advocates who helped us advance this issue and be on the lookout for more ways to be involved as we see this bill through to passage!