Senate Approves Children's Health Insurance

Great News! The United States Senate last night successfully passed the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthoriazation bill by a vote of 66-32, bringing us another step closer to ensuring that nearly 11 million children from low-income families will have access to healthcare coverage. You're the Cure advocates played an important role by sending messages to their Senators.

Now, the House or Representatives is expected to take up and pass the Senate version of the bill next week. It could be signed into law byPresident Obama before the end of next week!

Did you know heart defects are the most common birth defect in the United States, and stroke is among the top 10 causes of death in children? If signed by the President, SCHIP would ensure that more children from low-income families who are born with these conditions are not denied the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives simply because their parents cannot afford health insurance. SCHIP also includes a state option to cover targeted low-income pregnant women through the program, as a way to provide the essential prenatal care that can help reduce birth defects.

Passage of SCHIP is a major victory for us all! Congratulations!

Check out what the American Heart Association's new CEO, Nancy Brown, said about this issue.
See her response here.

Entire Hawaii Delegation Says "YES!" to FIT Kids

With the recent addition of Senator Akaka (D-HI) to the list of FIT Kids co-sponsors for the 110th Congress, Hawaii becomes the first state to have 100% support for the bill from their delegation! You're the Cure advocates in Hawaii can be proud that those who represent them on Capitol Hill have made the health our our kids a priority.

Visit http://www.fitkidsact.org/ to urge the legislators from your state to show their support too!

We Won!!

You’re the Cure on the Hill 2008 Named Nonprofit Advocacy Campaign of the Year!

At an awards ceremony Thursday at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, You’re the Cure on the Hill 2008 won the prestigious PRNews Nonprofit Award for the best Advocacy Campaign of the year! The award recognized the American Heart Association among a distinguished circle of organizations and you and the other outstanding advocates who came to Capitol Hill in April deserve all the credit.

PRNews recognized AHA for several noteworthy accomplishments including outstanding media coverage as well as mobilizing hundreds of advocates from across the country to generate an outpouring of support for the FIT Kids Act and increased funding for heart disease and stroke research and prevention programs. It was the presence, stories, and passion of our advocates that made You’re the Cure on the Hill something special- and we are so thrilled to have their hard work honored in this way!

Congratulations and Thank You!

Get Out and VOTE!

Election Day is now just 6 days away, and early voting has already begun in several states! Regardless of whether you prefer donkeys over elephants, or live in a red state vs. a blue state, we can all agree that we need to make our voice heard by voting. So, be sure to get to the polls on November 4th, and encourage family and friends to join you in performing our civic duty.

Heart Disease and Stroke. You're the Cure.

What do you think?

Last night I was glued to the t.v. watching the final the Presidential debate, anxious to hear a discussion on healthcare reform. I was thrilled to hear the candidates talking about the need for healthcare reform and even use key buzz words like “affordable healthcare” and “accessible healthcare”. Like you I am concerned about rising healthcare costs and the challenges many heart disease and stroke patients have affording the medical care they need. It’s time we address the issue and reinvent healthcare in America!

What do you think? Is healthcare reform a priority for the candidates? Are there questions you would have liked them to address? Will Americans demand leadership on healthcare reform from the next President?

Click ‘comment’ below and share your thoughts with me. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

-Clarissa Garcia, AHA Staff

The American Heart Association does not endorse any candidate or health plan. The opinions expressed in the comments section do not reflect the position of the Association.

HEART for Women Act Pass the House!

Great news! Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the HEART for Women Act by a 418-4 margin! Congratulations and thank you to all of our You’re the Cure advocates who have been instrumental in generating support for this important bill. To learn how your Representative voted, please visit http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll642.xml and send a quick hand-written thank-you note if they voted in favor.

Have you heard?

Have you heard the good news? The House Energy and Commerce Committee just passed the HEART for Women Act! Now, the bill moves on to the full House of Representatives, which could vote as early as next week to pass the bill and send it to the Senate- so our Congressmen and Congresswomen need to hear from us now. Take action for the women close to your heart by sending your message of support for HEART for Women today. www.heartforwomen.org.

Margaret Mead once said "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has"- and you and your fellow You're the Cure advocates prove that every day. Keep up the good work!