American Heart Association urges Gov. Hochul to include Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in plans for 2025

ALBANY, NY, January 14, 2025 – The American Heart Association, a global force for  longer, healthier lives, applauds Gov. Kathy Hochul’s assertion that “Your family is  my fight” heard repeatedly in today’s State of the State address.  

“The governor’s proposed funding of breakfast and lunch at school for all of New  York’s children benefits families in a positive and concrete way,” said Michael Aaron Poindexter, chair of the board of directors of the American Heart Association  in the Capital Region, chief community officer of the Regional Food Bank and  Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church. “Having meals at school goes a long way  toward addressing food insecurity, promoting equity, and fostering lifelong  healthy eating habits for children. The anticipated $165 savings per child each  month is also a relief to parents managing family budgets.”  

While that’s a good start, the Association calls on the governor to fund Cardiac  Emergency Response Plans in New York’s schools.  

“Gov. Hochul spoke at length about safety today,” Poindexter said. “A great way  to keep families safe is to have Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) in  schools. Those plans make it very clear where the AED is and what steps will be  taken if someone’s heart stops in the school. In addition to the students in schools  all day, schools host parents and other community members at many different  times of the day. Each year, nearly 350,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest,  and only 10 percent survive. We can change that statistic and make the state safer  with these plans in our schools.”  

The American Heart Association will ask Gov. Hochul and the state Legislature to  allot a minimum of $1 million to support the implementation of CERPs. In addition,  the Association will also continue to advocate for funding of programs that  improve health, like the State Tobacco Control Program, the Hypertension  Prevention Program, and the Healthy Heart Program.  

Advocates from across the state will come to Albany for a Day of Advocacy on  Tuesday, Jan. 28 to talk with their elected officials about these initiatives.  

For information about the American Heart Association’s advocacy initiatives and  to join their efforts, visit www.YoureTheCure.org.  

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.