ACC State Chapters across the country have been hard at work in recent weeks advancing policies that expand access to life-saving cardiovascular care and support the health care workforce. ACC Advocacy's strength lies in the engagement and expertise of its members, and their commitment is driving progress in statehouses nationwide and in Congress. Recent highlights include:

1. Partnering With the NFL to Raise SCA Awareness
During Heart Month, Alfred Danielian, MD, FACC, joined the Las Vegas Raiders for an event focused on increasing public access to AEDs. Representing the ACC Nevada Chapter, he delivered a keynote address and engaged community members in discussions on sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and cardiac emergency preparedness.

2. Showcasing the Strength of the CV Care Team
ACC members in Alabama recently hosted Rep. Shomari C. Figures (D-AL) at Mobile Infirmary, offering an inside look at the coordinated effort required to deliver high-quality cardiovascular care. Following ongoing engagement with the Chapter, Figures has cosponsored several ACC-endorsed bills.

3. Sports Cardiologists Testifying in Support of Athlete Well-Being
In both Connecticut and Maryland, ACC members specializing in sports cardiology testified before state legislative committees on proposals requiring cardiac components in athlete physicals. Their expertise underscored evidence-based best practices for protecting competitive athletes from cardiac events.

4. Building Lasting Relationships With Lawmakers at State Lobby Days
Recent state lobby days in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, New York and Tennessee brought cardiovascular clinicians directly to state capitols to discuss priority health policy issues. Hot topics included improving AED access and implementing cardiac emergency response plans, eliminating noncompetes for clinicians, reforming prior authorization practices, and more. These in-person events continue to build momentum and cultivate relationships with decisionmakers at the state level.

Clinical Topics: Arrhythmias and Clinical EP, Cardiovascular Care Team, Sports and Exercise Cardiology, SCD/Ventricular Arrhythmias

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Health Policy, Delivery of Health Care, Workforce, Patient Care Team, Athletes, Death, Sudden, Cardiac, Cardiology, Prior Authorization