Florida's Policy Agenda 2021-22

On September 13, 2021 the American Heart Association Florida Advocacy Committee approved the Association's state and local public policy agenda for fiscal year 2022. We invite You're the Cure advocates across the state of Florida to join us in the below efforts, as we strive to build longer, healthier lives through public policy change.

State Policies

• Telecommunicator CPR (T-CPR): Require all 911 telecommunicators that provide dispatch for emergency medical conditions be trained in the delivery of high-quality T-CPR. 
• Postpartum Medicaid Coverage Extension: Extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months for all individuals who are eligible for Medicaid coverage by virtue of their pregnancy. 
• Tobacco Cessation Coverage: Require Medicaid to cover comprehensive cessation services for current tobacco users including both counseling and pharmacotherapy with no or minimal cost sharing.
• Blood Pressure Programs: Secure public funding that meets or exceeds AHA determined funding levels for state or local programs targeted at the treatment of hypertension and is program funding separate and distinct from state level CDC recommended Heart Disease and Stroke Program funding. 
• Telehealth: Ensure that Medicaid recipients have access to clinically appropriate telehealth services, by including patient homes as an originating site, expanding allowable telehealth services to include cardiac rehabilitation, and  removing video requirement for Medicaid reimbursement of telehealth.

Local Policies

• Health Equity Plan: Work on Leon County, Jacksonville/Duval, Broward County and Hillsborough County to support the development of community-driven health equity action plans as a tool for advancing health equity at the community level.
• SNAP Incentive Programs: Work in Jacksonville/Duval, Palm Beach County and Broward County to support funding for incentives and other policies and programs, including produce prescription programs, that encourage fruit and vegetable consumption. 
• Complete Streets: Continue work in Broward County to support policies that increase active transportation, community physical activity opportunities (including but not limited to parks, green spaces, playgrounds), and neighborhood or land preservation. 
• Water Access in Schools: Continue work in Hillsborough County and Manatee County to ensure safe and appealing water is accessible at no charge during the school day or extended hours while children
  are in programming in school buildings.