On behalf of the American Heart Association and its 22.5 million volunteers and supporters, I want to thank you for co-sponsoring Josh Miller Helping Everyone Access Responsive Treatment in Schools (HEARTS) Act (S.1197), legislation that would authorize funding to help schools purchase lifesaving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and train staff in CPR and AED use. This important legislation recognizes the importance of providing schools with the equipment and training necessary to save the lives of children and adults in the education community as part of an overall Medical Emergency Response Plan.

Tragically, each year thousands of children experience sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, the chances of survival decrease by 7-10%. Prompt delivery of CPR more than doubles the chance of survival by helping to maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain. Using AEDs saves lives because they help restore normal heart rhythm before emergency personnel arrive.

Achieving higher survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest depends on a public trained in CPR and the use of AEDs. Appropriately, S. 1197 will provide these resources to schools without timely access to AEDs.

Thank you for doing your part to save lives by cosponsoring companion legislation in the Senate.

On behalf of the American Heart Association and its 22.5 million volunteers and supporters, I urge you to cosponsor and pass the Josh Miller Helping Everyone Access Responsive Treatment in Schools (HEARTS) Act (S.1197), legislation sponsored by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) that would authorize funding to help schools purchase lifesaving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and train staff in CPR and AED use. Companion legislation (H.R. 1380) passed the House of Representatives by voice vote on June 2nd, 2009. This important legislation recognizes the importance of providing schools with the equipment and training necessary to save the lives of children and adults in the education community as part of an overall Medical Emergency Response Plan.

Tragically, each year thousands of children experience sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, the chances of survival decrease by 7-10%. Prompt delivery of CPR more than doubles the chance of survival by helping to maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain. Using AEDs saves lives because they help restore normal heart rhythm before emergency personnel arrive.

The Josh Miller HEARTS Act would establish a grant program that would give public and private elementary and secondary schools in the country an opportunity to obtain one of these portable, easy-to-use devices, and also has strong support from the American Heart Association, National Safety Council, and the American Red Cross. The bill also recognizes the importance of providing schools with the training necessary to save the lives of children and adults in the education community as part of an overall Medical Emergency Response plan. Since schools are central gathering places in most communities, these AEDs have the potential to not only save students, but also staff, parents, and visitors to the schools.

Achieving higher survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest depends on a public trained in CPR and the use of AEDs. Appropriately, the Josh Miller HEARTS Act will provide these resources to schools without timely access to AEDs. All too often, AEDs are placed in schools in the aftermath of the death of a child from sudden cardiac arrest. Today, however, we have the opportunity to enact preventive measures to ensure that our schools have the most effective emergency response tools at their disposal to prevent such tragedies. Please do your part to save lives by cosponsoring companion legislation in the Senate.

Thank you.