The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy (CAROL) Act on Dec. 5. The CAROL Act is a critical piece of legislation that once enacted will make much-needed investments in research and public health initiatives for valvular heart disease.

"The ACC applauds Congress for passing the CAROL Act and authorizing critical funding for valvular heart disease research. Each year, valvular heart disease results in approximately 25,000 deaths in the U.S.," said ACC Health Affairs Committee Chair Samuel O. Jones IV, MD, MPH, FACC. "The CAROL Act will play a significant role in reversing this trend by supporting the development of public health initiatives to improve awareness, diagnosis, and education for patients and clinicians."

Passage of the CAROL Act, which was introduced in 2021 by Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) in honor of his late wife Eleanor "Carol" Barr, has been a key priority for ACC Advocacy and was among the issues discussed with members of Congress and their staff during face-to-face meetings scheduled as part of ACC's recent 2022 Legislative Conference. The bill now moves to President Joe Biden's desk to be signed into law.

"The ACC acknowledges the bills' lead authors, Rep. Barr as well as Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and is grateful for the opportunity to help craft the final version of the bill," said Jones.

Learn more about the bill's passage here.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team, Valvular Heart Disease

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Public Health, Spouses, Politics, Heart Valve Diseases

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