American College of Cardiology urges full funding for HEARTS Act grants to place AEDs and training in schools

Dr. Christopher Kramer, president of the American College of Cardiology and chief of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Virginia, told the Appropriations Subcommittee that fully funding the HEARTS Act would help prevent deaths from sudden cardiac arrest among young people by supporting school emergency response plans, training and automated external defibrillator (AED) grants.

Kramer described the law passed last year and requested specific FY26 appropriations to implement it: $25,000,000 for grants to help schools purchase AEDs and develop cardiac emergency response plans; $5,000,000 for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to produce risk assessments and educational materials; and $20,000,000 for NIH research into cardiomyopathy. "Every second counts and having access to training and easily used technology such as AEDs can mean the difference between life and death," Kramer said.

Members noted related pending legislation and prior bipartisan support for AED access in schools; Representative Rosa DeLauro referenced an earlier bill (H.R. 2370) that would authorize HHS grants for defibrillator purchases and said congressional funding is needed to turn the law's requirements into practice.

The hearing record will include the testimony and specific dollar requests for Congress to consider during FY26 deliberations.