The HEARTS Act Passes Congress

On June 10, 2008, the Josh Miller HEARTS Act passed the Congress, thus paving the way for saving more lives.

According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, the HEARTs Act

“will establish a grant program through the U.S. Department of Education to provide schools with funds for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and AED/CPR training.”

The law was introduced by Ohio Rep. Betty Sutton earlier this year. It had gained the support of almost 100 House cosponsors.

The Act is named in memory of Josh Miller, a student from Sutton’s hometown. The 15-year-old Josh suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during the final game of the 2000 Barberton High School football season. There was a delay of defibrillation due to unavailability of an AED, resulting in Josh’s death. It is hoped that the Josh Miller HEARTS Act will help prevent similar tragedies.

Cardiac arrest is among the leading causes of death not only in the United States but also worldwide. According to advocates of the Act, there is a lack of support and funding for sudden cardiac arrest prevention and awareness by the government. Some states are lagging behind than others in terms of requiring AEDs and CPR training in school. Through this Act, it is hoped that the federal government with step up access to AEDs and other life-saving interventions in schools all over the country.

In an earlier post, I reported about the survey by the American Heart Association on the American people’s readiness to act and help in an emergency situation and the results are sobering. It is hoped that the Act will change this.

The Josh Miller Helping Everyone Access Responsive Treatment in Schools Act of 2008, or the Josh Miller HEARTS Act:

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award matching grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to: (1) purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for use in their schools; and/or (2) provide training to meet the grant requirement that at least five adult employees or volunteers at each school where an AED is to be used successfully complete training in its use and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Requires LEA grant applicants also to demonstrate that: (1) the AEDs are integrated into the schools’ emergency response procedures; and (2) emergency services personnel are notified of their locations.

 Requires LEA grantees to provide nonfederal matching funds equal to at least 25% of their grant, unless 20% or more of the children they serve come from impoverished families.

Gives grant priority to schools that: (1) lack an AED; (2) typically have a significant number of students, staff, and visitors present during the day; (3) generally have a longer wait for emergency medical services than other public facilities in the community; and (4) have not received funds under the Rural Access to Emergency Devices Act.

Authorizes appropriations for the grant program for FY2008-FY2013.

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