Advocating for South Carolina Hearts: Our 2026-2027 Policy Priorities

Every student deserves healthy meals and the opportunity to learn and thrive. Every community deserves access to lifesaving tools during a cardiac emergency. South Carolinians also deserve access to affordable health care and policies that help people live longer, healthier lives.

These outcomes don’t happen by chance. They are shaped by the policies and investments we make in our schools, health systems, and communities.

Our 2026-2027 South Carolina State and Community Policy Agenda focuses on practical, evidence-based solutions that improve health, expand access to care, and save lives. Here’s what we’re working on this year.

Supporting Healthy School Meals

We’re working to protect the progress South Carolina has made on universal school breakfast and expand access to include universal school lunch. Every student deserves access to nutritious meals that support learning and long-term health.

Expanding Access to AEDs

We support the AED Access Act, which would remove outdated physician oversight requirements and make it easier for communities to deploy and use these lifesaving devices when every second counts.

Improving Cardiac Arrest Survival

We’re working to secure funding and stakeholder support for statewide participation in the CARES Registry. This registry helps communities track cardiac arrest outcomes and identify opportunities to improve survival rates and patient outcomes.

Expanding Access to Care

South Carolina continues to have a significant health insurance coverage gap. We’re advocating for Medicaid expansion to help more South Carolinians access quality, affordable health care.

Protecting Student Athletes

We’re advocating for heart assessments for student athletes before participation in school athletics. Early identification of potential heart concerns can help families and health care professionals make informed decisions and support safer participation in sports.

Supporting Healthy School Meals

We’re working to protect the progress South Carolina has made on universal school breakfast and expand access to include universal school lunch. Every student deserves access to nutritious meals that support learning and long-term health.

Expanding Access to AEDs

We support the AED Access Act, which would remove outdated physician oversight requirements and make it easier for communities to deploy and use these lifesaving devices when every second counts.

Investing in Tobacco Prevention

We’re advocating for sustainable public funding for South Carolina’s tobacco prevention and control programs. Preventing tobacco use and helping people quit saves lives and improves health outcomes across the state.

Supporting Nonprofits Through the RIFT Act

Nonprofit organizations play a critical role in improving health and serving communities across South Carolina. We support the Release of IRA Funds Timely (RIFT) Act, which would help ensure charitable organizations receive IRA and retirement-plan bequests in a timely manner so they can put those resources to work more quickly.

Driving Local Change

In communities across South Carolina, we’re working to advance smoke-free air policies that include vaping and e-cigarettes and support local tobacco zoning ordinances that help reduce youth exposure and access to tobacco products.

Through Heart Powered, our grassroots advocacy network, South Carolinians can take action on the issues that matter most to heart and brain health. Whether you’re new to advocacy or a longtime champion, there’s a place for you to get involved. Together, we can advance policies that help every South Carolinian live a longer, healthier life.