Press Release

CONTACT: Ann-Marie White 202.464.3476
February 14, 2008

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition Supports the Josh Miller HEARTS Act to Expand AEDs in Schools

Federal grant program would allow schools nationwide to purchase AEDs

(WASHINGTON DC — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition strongly supports the passage of the ‘‘Josh Miller Helping Everyone Access Responsive Treatment in Schools Act of 2007’’ (H.R.4926) which would establish a federal grant program to allow schools nationwide to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and require that grant-recipients integrate access to the AED as part of the school’s emergency response plan.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 250,000 lives per year and effects people of all ages and races. The chance of survival decreases by about 10 percent for every minute that a defibrillation shock from an AED is not received. AEDs however are still not widely available and people often do not know how to or are afraid to use them.

“The Josh Miller HEARTS Act would not only help save lives by expanding access to AEDs, it would also increase general awareness about SCA, its devastating impact and the need for a quick response should an attack occur,” said Kathy Pontzer, vice president of health policy for the Heart Rhythm Society and co-chair of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition.

“By placing AEDs on school grounds, not only are students safer, so are teachers, staff, administrators, parents and visitors to school facilities,” said Chris Chiames, executive director of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association and co-chair of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition. “Equally important, an entire generation of students and their parents are being educated about SCA and the need for swift response to an event through the use of an AED.”

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The SCA Coalition is comprised of 29 organizations passionate about preventing Sudden Cardiac Arrest deaths through legislative initiatives that lead to greater public awareness, research and access to life-saving therapies. The SCA Coalition is focused on national issues that have the opportunity to bring about meaningful change that will save lives.