Press Release
The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) provides a critical voice in the passing of the HEARTS Act – legislation that will save lives in schools nationwide.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 17, 2024) – Last week, the U.S. Senate passed the Cardiomyopathy Health, Education, Awareness, Research, and Training in Schools (HEARTS) Act (H.R. 6829), a landmark bill aimed at preventing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in young people. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill in September, and it now awaits the President’s signature to become law.
This legislation will help equip schools and childcare centers with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and provide CPR training for both staff and students. It also establishes a federal grant program to ensure schools have the necessary resources to effectively respond to cardiac emergencies.
Key provisions of the HEARTS Act:
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Deployment of AEDs: Ensures schools and childcare centers have access to life-saving AEDs.
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Training Requirements: Mandates CPR and AED training for staff, students, and volunteers.
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Public Awareness Campaigns: Supports educational initiatives, developed in collaboration with the CDC, to raise awareness about cardiomyopathy and SCA risks.
As a proud member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, HRS celebrates this important step toward ensuring every school has the tools, training, and plans needed to save lives. The campaign to pass the HEARTS Act featured heartfelt stories from advocates across the country, sharing personal experiences with cardiac arrest and heart disease. It also included targeted media campaigns in Washington, D.C., and nationwide to amplify the voices of cardiac arrest survivors and families who have lost loved ones to SCA.
HRS and their advocacy arm, Heart Rhythm Advocates (HRA), mobilized members across the country through a grassroots campaign that streamlined the process of contacting their respective legislators in Washington and implore them to support this unprecedented life-saving legislation. HRS and HRA remain steadfast in their commitment to advocate for the field of cardiac electrophysiology, including increasing public awareness, education, training, and lifesaving equipment in public spaces.
Learn more about the HEARTS Act and the Smart Heart Sports Coalition by visiting smartheartsports.com.
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About the Heart Rhythm Society
The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education, and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education, and optimal healthcare policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, D.C., it has a membership of more than 8,600 heart rhythm professionals from 94 countries. For more information, visit HRSonline.org.
About Heart Rhythm Advocates
Heart Rhythm Advocates (HRA), established in 2025 by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), is the U.S. leader in advocating for the care of patients with heart rhythm disorders and the healthcare professionals that serve them.
Press Contact
Kris Murphy
Associate Vice President, Heart Rhythm Society
703-464-3431
Heart Rhythm Society Establishes New Advocacy Organization to Address the Needs of Electrophysiologists and Their Patients
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The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) Board of Trustees unanimously approved the formation of a new, shared vision, cause-related nonprofit 501(c)(4) advocacy organization to complement the primary 501(c)(3) nonprofit structure of the HRS.
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UPDATE:
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November 13, 2024 - After consulting with legal advisors, gathering input from members, and consulting with incoming Heart Rhythm Advocates Governing Board members—including those previously engaged with the Arrhythmia Intervention Society—the Heart Rhythm Society Board of Trustees has voted to restructure Heart Rhythm Advocates as a 501(c)(6) organization, rather than a 501(c)(4). This change will better serve the interests of our members. We will provide additional details on the new structure and updates on the Governing Board’s progress as they develop.
WASHINGTON, DC (October 17, 2024) – The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) Board of Trustees unanimously approved the formation of Heart Rhythm Advocates, a new, shared vision, cause-related nonprofit 501(c)(4) advocacy organization to complement the primary 501(c)(3) nonprofit structure of the HRS.
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This announcement comes at a time when atrial fibrillation (AF) is on the rise, affecting more than 10.5 million Americans.1 A growing patient population, increase in electrophysiology procedures, and rapid innovation in the field have led to elevated government scrutiny on cost, resulting in drastic cuts for reimbursement for common AF procedures. Reductions in reimbursement are making it difficult to retain and attract heart rhythm specialists. Without enough trained cardiac electrophysiologists (EPs), patients with heart rhythm disorders will be at a greater risk of limited access to quality care.
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Under its previous structure, HRS led numerous efforts to protect fair reimbursement for AF ablation, gain approval for pulsed field ablation codes, and include ambulatory surgery centers for coverage. The establishment of Heart Rhythm Advocates allows for greater lobbying influence and political activity for the benefit of both patients and HRS members. With more than 45 years of experience advocating for the cardiac electrophysiology (EP) specialty, HRS will be providing $1,000,000 in initial funding to establish its new advocacy arm.
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"Heart Rhythm Advocates offers a powerful way to further strengthen HRS' leadership and commitment to serving as the unified voice of EP. This new entity will allow us to expand our impact and support everyone in the EP community, starting with physicians and their patients." Said Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD, FHRS, Heart Rhythm Society President. "By taking this big step forward and with the continued support of our members and patients, we will accelerate Heart Rhythm Advocates' ability to influence reimbursement and healthcare policies for the current and future generations of EPs."
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The formation of Heart Rhythm Advocates will allow HRS to better address the needs of U.S. members and their patients without compromising the Society's global mission of ending death and suffering due to heart rhythm disorders. By establishing a new entity solely focused on advocating for EPs and all the specialty's stakeholders, HRS further strengthens the organization's dual focus of advancing knowledge and driving innovation. HRS will continue to offer updates on the leading priorities for serving the EP specialty and how members can become involved with Heart Rhythm Advocates.
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1 Noubiap JJ, Tang JJ, Teraoka JT, Dewland TA, Marcus GM. Minimum national prevalence of diagnosed atrial fibrillation inferred from California acute care facilities. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2024; 84(16): 1501-1508.​
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About the Heart Rhythm Society
The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education, and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education, and optimal healthcare policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, D.C., it has a membership of more than 8,600 heart rhythm professionals from 94 countries. For more information, visit HRSonline.org.​
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Press Contact
Rachel Schwarz
703-739-8350