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South Carolina State Capitol

Advocating for South Carolina Hearts: Our 2026 Policy Priorities

At the American Heart Association, we’re working to make South Carolina a healthier place to live, learn, and thrive. Our 2025-2026 policy agenda focuses on strengthening emergency response in schools, expanding access to care, and supporting local efforts to improve community health.

Here’s what we’re advocating for this year:

Protecting Students with the Smart Heart Act
Every second counts in a cardiac emergency. That’s why we’re urging lawmakers to pass the Smart Heart Act, which would require public and charter schools to implement cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) and ensure AEDs are accessible at high school sports venues. We’re also calling for state funding to help schools put these lifesaving plans into action.

Expanding Access to Care
South Carolina has one of the highest uninsured rates in the country. Expanding Medicaid would close the coverage gap and help thousands of South Carolinians access the care they need to manage chronic conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure.

We’re also advocating for Medicaid coverage of self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) devices, which empower patients to monitor their health at home and improve hypertension management.

Improving Cardiac Arrest Outcomes
We’re working to secure funding and stakeholder support for statewide participation in the CARES Registry, a powerful tool that helps communities track and improve outcomes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

Supporting Tobacco-Free Futures
Tobacco remains a leading cause of preventable death in South Carolina. We’re urging the state to invest in sustainable funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs through the Department of Public Health.

Local Health Initiatives
Local governments play a key role in advancing health equity. That’s why we’re working around the state on initiatives to keep South Carolina healthy. This year, we’re advocating for:

  • VeggieRx funding in York County, Richland County, and the City of Columbia to support FoodShare SC’s produce prescription program.
  • Tobacco retail zoning in York County to limit where tobacco products are sold.
  • Smoke-free ordinances in North Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Richland County to protect residents from secondhand smoke and vaping indoors.

Together, these policies can help build a stronger, healthier South Carolina. We’re proud to stand alongside advocates, lawmakers, and community leaders to make heart health a priority.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Your voice matters. If you’re already part of American Heart Association Heart Powered, watch for upcoming alerts and opportunities to take action on these efforts. Not a member yet? Join at heartpowered.org/join today and help us drive change that saves lives.