On Wednesday, March 21, organizations from across Hawaii hosted “Take Down Tobacco Day” at the Hawaii State Capitol building. Over 130 volunteers, including close to 100 youth, from Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island asked legislators to support legislation that would address the toll flavored tobacco is taking on the young people of Hawaii….Read More…

Oregon lawmakers adjourned their 2024 “short” session Thursday March 7th, three days before constitutional sine die. Although quite bipartisan in nature, there was not a walkout that many had feared, and that has characterized most past sessions in recent history. This was particularly surprisingly given the Oregon Supreme Court announcement days before session started, upholding…Read More…

As of March 1st, the Utah Legislature concluded its annual 45-day Legislative Session. During this short time, they passed a record 591 bills, including 156 on Friday March 1st alone, and set the 2025 budget at $29 billion. We aren’t going to lie, it was a hard legislative session for American Heart Association priorities. But…Read More…

It’s been an exciting month of negotiations and strategizing as we move quickly toward the end of the Legislative Session. One of our priority issues, postpartum Medicaid expansion, was getting sidetracked in the challenging conversations around Medicaid cost containment. But, despite these challenges, we’ve managed to get a postpartum bill introduced! House Bill 633 will…Read More…

Legislation, HB 633, that will help protect the health of Idaho’s new moms by extending postpartum coverage from 60 days to a full year for those eligible for Medicaid through pregnancy is being considered by state lawmakers. We are expecting it to be heard in the House Health and Welfare Committee this week. The Idaho…Read More…

As an advocacy intern, I had the privilege to travel to South Dakota’s State Capitol in Pierre on February 2nd for You’re the Cure Day. We served a heart-healthy breakfast to the legislators in the House and Senate Chambers. They were all very appreciative of having a healthy breakfast option. During our time at the…Read More…

On Tuesday, February 13th, the AHA Utah team hosted our Heart on the Hill Lobby Day in the Capitol Board Room of the Utah State Capitol Building. We welcomed our Board of Directors, State Advocacy Committee, staff, and volunteers, for a total of more than 30 people, about half of whom were joining in their…Read More…

I’m excited to share that CPR in Schools legislation has been introduced! SB 221 by Senator Gray-Jackson will ensure that students learn hands-only CPR prior to graduation. I was recently in Juneau and had the opportunity to speak with the Senator as well as Fire Chief’s across the state who are enthusiastic about seeing this…Read More…

A potential rain storm didn’t stop over 50 volunteers from across Arizona from heading to the to the State Capitol on Wednesday February 7th! Our advocates and staff fervently engaged with legislators and emphasized the paramount need for establishing comprehensive cardiac emergency response plans in schools. Their collective voice echoed the urgency of preparedness in…Read More…