LANSING, MI January 15, 2025 — As the 2025 Michigan Session begins its work this week, the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, worked with volunteer advocates from across the state to announce its policy agenda for the upcoming legislative session, focusing on key initiatives essential to improving the health and well-being of all Michiganders.
During the 2024 legislative session, the association was able to successfully advance legislation to ensure longer, healthier lives for all through work in key policy areas, including better preparing schools to respond to sudden cardiac arrests, increasing access to health care and increasing efforts to keep tobacco out of young people’s hands. While not all priorities were passed, the Association made great forward movement in advancing key policy items during the Michigan Legislative Session.
- House Bills 5527 and 5528 were signed into law earlier this year, which require comprehensive cardiac emergency response plans in schools, at school athletic facilities and at school events, while also adding a training requirement for school athletic coaches.
- Permanently repealing Medicaid work requirements removed unnecessary and harmful barriers for people to receive Medicaid benefits, which will improve peoples' health and save the state money.
- Legislation that would have established a statewide tobacco retail licensure program (TRL) and repealed penalties on youth (PUP repeal) had passed both Chambers and was only one procedural vote from heading to the Governor’s desk.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Michigan Legislative Session, the Association aims to continue to focus on a number of key initiatives that support heart health, including access to healthy foods, tobacco prevention and cessation efforts and increased access to quality health care including:
- Increasing Enrollment in Health Care Coverage (Easy Enrollment) – Implement “opt-in” or “request for information” on state tax returns to provide information to Michiganders regarding their eligibility for free or low-cost coverage.
- Secure funding and make permanent the Healthy School Meals for All program, which provides free school breakfast and lunch for all public-school children regardless of income.
- Secure funding for the MI Cardiac Arrest Registry to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival by providing communities, EMS providers, and health care systems with vital data and resources.
- Secure sustainable public funding for state tobacco prevention and control programs at levels that meet or exceed thresholds based on CDC recommendations.
The American Heart Association urges Michigan lawmakers to prioritize these essential policies to improve the health of all Michiganders. 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.
To support the Association’s work in Michigan, join the American Heart Association’s You’re the Cure network by texting MI to 46839. 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, on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Jana Siminski; jana.siminski@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org