FARGO – The American Heart Association has announced its policy agenda for the upcoming North Dakota legislative session, focusing on key initiatives essential to improving the health and well-being of North Dakotans, according to an association news release.

During the 2023 North Dakota legislative session, the association was able to successfully advance legislation extending and funding Medicaid maternal health coverage for new moms, increasing access to quality childcare programming and maintaining the stroke and cardiac registry program funding. The association also celebrated implementation of Self-Measured Blood Pressure equipment, coverage for North Dakotans on Medicaid and the expansion of the Cardiac Ready Communities program, with the N.D. State Capitol Complex named as one of the Cardiac Ready Campuses.

In the current legislative session, the association will focus on four key initiatives that aim to prepare North Dakota schools and athletic facilities to respond to cardiac emergencies through adoption of Cardiac Emergency Response Plans, reduce access to harmful commercial tobacco products to youth by increasing the commercial tobacco tax and ensure all North Dakota children have access to healthy school meals. The association also will advocate to strengthen Stroke and Cardiac Systems of Care designations and confirm funding.

Association advocates will be at the State Capitol on Jan. 31 to visit with legislators about these key issues.