WASHINGTON,
DC – Today, Rep. Betty Sutton (D-Ohio) today received a legislative award from the
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition for her leadership in sponsoring the Josh
Miller Helping Everyone Access Responsive Treatment in Schools (HEARTS) Act,
which the House passed in June 2009. The Josh Miller HEARTS Act, or H.R. 1380,
will establish a federal grant program that enables elementary and
secondary schools across the nation to access automated external defibrillators
(AEDs).
The bill is named for Josh Miller, a 15-year-old student from Rep. Sutton’s hometown of Barberton, Ohio who suffered a fatal sudden cardiac arrest during a high school football game. Although he had never demonstrated any symptoms of heart problems, he collapsed shortly after he left the football field. By the time the paramedics arrived at the scene, it was too late to save Josh.
“I am honored to receive this award from the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition in Josh’s memory and all those who might have been saved,” said Rep. Sutton. “Like Josh, the vast majority of individuals who suffer from sudden cardiac arrest do not display any prior signs of heart trouble, so immediate access to an AED is absolutely critical in saving lives. I thank the Miller family for allowing me to sponsor this important legislation in Josh’s name, and I thank Dr. Gordon for leadership in getting AEDs into every public school in Ohio.”
“As the sponsor of this bill, Congresswoman Sutton is to be commended for her efforts,” said retired Akron General Medical Center cardiologist Dr. Terry A. Gordon, who led the Ohio School AED Initiative that placed more than 4,400 AEDs in schools throughout the state of Ohio. “The results of her hard work will ultimately touch the lives of thousands upon thousands of Americans. Her mission of helping to save the lives of our most precious resource – our children – will be the testament of her efforts. Congratulations to her on this well-deserved award.”
Rep. Sutton first introduced the Josh Miller HEARTS Act in December 2007 and it passed the House by voice vote in June 2008. Sadly, while awaiting action in the Senate, 238 children have died of sudden cardiac arrest in our primary and secondary schools.
In just the past three weeks, two high school football players have experienced what was reported as sudden cardiac arrest. One student from Oregon was successfully resuscitated; tragically, the student from Texas died.
AEDs are portable, easy-to-use medical devices that have been deployed in many public areas. CPR combined with early defibrillation using an AED more than doubles the odds of survival. Quick access to AEDs is crucial, as the odds of survival for a person suffering from sudden cardiac arrest decrease seven to ten percent for every minute that passes without treatment.
Schools receiving these grants must certify that five adults at the school have been trained in CPR and AED use, and they must also coordinate with the local paramedics and other emergency personnel to ensure those suffering from sudden cardiac arrest can have the quickest possible access to care.
“On average, just eight percent of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims in the U.S. survive, so a rapid response is critical,” said Michael Sayre, M.D., Chair of American Heart Association Emergency Cardiac Care Committee, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University, and Founding Chairman of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation.
“The Association applauds Representative Betty Sutton for introducing the Josh Miller Helping Everyone Access Responsive Treatment in Schools (HEARTS) Act, which will provide the equipment and training needed to save lives of children and adults in the education community.