Resolutions seeking to recognize an annual “National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month” during the month of October were introduced in Congress earlier this year; these resolutions begin to address and remedy the national lack of understanding around sudden cardiac arrest. Senate Concurrent Resolution 93 and House Concurrent Resolution 393, introduced by Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA) and Charles Pickering (R-MS) and Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND). The four legislators are co-chairs of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition in the House and in the Senate.
The Senate passed the resolution by unanimous consent on Monday, September 21, 2008. The House passed the resolution by voice vote on Thursday September 25.
Each year during the month of October, the Heart Rhythm Society and other interested organizations will implement activities in order to
- raise awareness about the risk of SCA
- improve the public’s ability to identify warning signs
- encourage individuals to seek medical attention in a timely manner
- promote the need for further research into the causes of this leading killer
Progress of the Resolutions
The Society had considered it far more crucial to get co-sponsors signed on to the House Resolution. For the House to consider voting on a resolution, it needed at least 100 co-sponsors. In the Senate, resolutions have an easier time moving forward through a unanimous consent agreement.
During the August recess, the Heart Rhythm Society worked on gathering the required number of co-sponsors in the House through multiple grassroots activities in addition to visiting Congressional offices. Unfortunately, due to the short time period when Congress was in session, just 42 co-sponsors were secured as of September 12, 2008.
On September 15, the Energy and Commerce Committee — which has jurisdiction over this Resolution — agreed to add the resolution to the suspension schedule. This meant that that the standard 100 co-sponsors were not necessary to bring the resolution to the House Floor. However, the Committee still wanted additional co-sponsors to move forward.
During the week of September 15, the Society, along with the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition members, intensely lobbied House offices to obtain additional co-sponsors. As of September 22, 101 Representatives agreed to co-sponsor H. Con. Res. 393. With the dramatic upsurge in support, the Energy and Commerce Committee placed the resolution on the voting calendar. The final tally was more than 100 (109) Representatives and Senators.
The Society is deeply grateful for the aggressive grassroots activities undertaken by the members of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition. The Coalition is comprised of 29 organizations (the Heart Rhythm Society is co-chair) passionate about preventing SCA deaths through legislative initiatives that lead to greater public awareness, research, and access to life-saving therapies. Last year it created www.stopcardiacarrest.org as part of its awareness initiatives.
