JACKSON, Miss. Jan. 10, 2025 — The American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, is pleased to announce its advocacy agenda for 2025 legislative session, focusing on two key initiatives essential to improving the health and well-being of all Mississippians: Cardiac Emergency Response Plans for school athletic events and facilities and Medicaid Expansion. These priorities aim to protect students from preventable death from sudden cardiac arrest and to improve health outcomes for communities across the state.
Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERP) at school athletic events and facilities.
Building upon last year’s overwhelming support for CERPs, the American Heart Association is advocating for policies that require public schools to establish, utilize and maintain cardiac emergency response plans (CERP) at school athletic events and facilities.
Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and timely intervention is critical to survival. This legislation would ensure schools are equipped with the training, tools, and resources to respond quickly and effectively to cardiac emergencies at school athletic events and facilities. By implementing comprehensive protocols, ensuring the availability of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, improving access to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, and promoting quick response times, Mississippi can dramatically improve survival rates for students experiencing sudden cardiac arrest at sporting events.
Currently, AEDs are not required at venues where school-sponsored athletic practices and competitions take place, meaning an AED may not be available to save the life of a student experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
Additionally, the American Heart Association will be advocating for public funding for schools to implement CERPs, prioritizing high-needs schools.
Expanding Medicaid
Heart disease and stroke remain the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. and disproportionately affect low-income individuals, particularly those in rural areas with limited access to healthcare. According to the Mississippi Department of Health, the state ranks high in cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol, with over 72% of adults being overweight or obese. In 2022 alone, heart disease and stroke claimed 10,805 lives in the state and resulted in hundreds of millions[i] in hospitalization costs.[ii]
Medicaid expansion would provide crucial healthcare access to approximately 200,000 Mississippians currently in the "coverage gap," unable to afford insurance. Nationally, 28% of Medicaid recipients have cardiovascular conditions, underscoring the importance of this coverage for prevention, treatment, and disease management.
States that have expanded Medicaid have seen improved access to preventive services, better management of chronic conditions, and significant reductions in uninsured hospitalizations and medical costs. Expanding Medicaid in Mississippi would provide lifesaving healthcare to hundreds of thousands of residents, reduce health disparities, and alleviate the burden of chronic diseases, including heart disease and stroke.
Aside from the health benefits to Mississippians, Medicaid expansion also has the potential to bring other benefits to the state, including:
- Economic Growth[iii]: Increased economic activity equaling $800 million to $900 million in the state relative to pre-expansion levels. Expansion would create roughly 11,000 jobs each year. A reduction of $164 to $191 million in uncompensated care for all acute care hospitals in the state would further support our healthcare infrastructure.
- Workforce Productivity: Ensuring access to healthcare for hardworking Mississippians, leading to a healthier, more reliable workforce.
- Cost Savings: Reducing the financial burden of uncompensated care on businesses, which is often reflected in higher insurance premiums.
In addition to these priorities, the Association is also working to make an impact in the following areas:
- Support state enrollment in the USDA’s SUN Bucks Summer EBT program in one of the states that does not yet participate in the program, and secure funding to support Summer EBT program administration.
- Support expansion of state Medicaid coverage of self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring devices for the diagnosis and management of patients with hypertension.
- Defend against the creation of or expansion of laws that penalize individuals for the purchase, use, and possession of tobacco products to support efforts to decriminalize tobacco control enforcement policies.
- Support legislation to restore the Mississippi ballot initiative process.
“The American Association, our volunteers and advocates urge Mississippi lawmakers to prioritize these essential policies to improve the health of all Mississippians,” said Laken Camp, American Heart Association state government relations director in Mississippi. “Together, we can work to reduce the number of deaths caused by heart disease, expand access to life-saving healthcare, and promote healthier communities across the state.”
Join the American Heart Association’s You're the Cure network. Members will receive regular updates about these bills and opportunities to engage with elected officials in support of these initiatives.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Mary Brinson Mary.Brinson@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
[i] Wang G, Zhang Z, Ayala C, Dunet DO, Fang J, George MG. Costs of hospitalization for stroke patients aged 18-64 years in the United States. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2014 May-Jun;23(5):861-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2013.07.017. Epub 2013 Aug 15. PMID: 23954598; PMCID: PMC4544732.
[iii] [iii] Henderson, M., Betley, C., Stockwell, I., Middleton, A., Clark, M., & Woodcock, C. (2022, January 11). The economic impact of Medicaid expansion in Mississippi, 2023–2028: Summary report. Baltimore, MD: The Hilltop Institute, UMBC.