Excerpted from EP Lab Digest, with permission from the author, Mellanie True Hills
Afib Legislation
The biggest news headline came when Congress promoted the link between awareness-raising efforts and the well-being of afib sufferers. This past year, StopAfib.org, along with other organizations, asked Congress to recognize the concerns of the afib community — and they listened. The U.S. House of Representatives is considering House Resolution 295. The resolution was introduced by Representatives Kay Granger (R-TX), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) and Charles Gonzalez (D-TX), and as of early August, it had 30 sponsors of the needed 100. The resolution seeks to raise the priority of afib in the existing research and education funding allocation process. Atrial fibrillation has often been overlooked for research and funding, so this resolution asks for afib-related research to be included in current budgeting. The resolution does not seek any new funding. For more information about the House resolution, go to http://bit.ly/HRes295.
In Rep. Granger’s letter to other representatives asking for their support, she straightforwardly stated why Congress should pay attention: “The increased risks for stroke and heart disease associated with atrial fibrillation have significant implications. The cost of atrial fibrillation to the U.S. healthcare system is estimated to be $15.7 billion per year. Even more tragically, approximately 88,000 Americans will die every year as a result of this condition.”
Afib grabbed the attention of the U.S. Senate, too. On July 29, 2011, the Senate introduced and passed Senate Resolution 243 by unanimous consent. For more information about the resolution, go to http://bit.ly/SRes243. The resolution calls for the increased awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of atrial fibrillation to address the high morbidity and mortality rates and prevent avoidable hospitalizations associated with the condition. Senator Michael Crapo (R-ID) introduced and shepherded the resolution through the Senate, and prominent co-sponsors included Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-PA), Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), and Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI).
New Afib PSAs Help Raise Awareness
As the mission to raise afib awareness continues to gain more partners, we build more momentum. Recently three fantastic public service announcement (PSA) campaigns from partner coalitions and organizations StopAfib.org is working closely with were released to help raise afib awareness. We encourage you to share these videos with your patients. Here is a brief synopsis of each PSA:
- Facing AFib, “Get Serious about Stroke.” Daytime TV star Susan Lucci and her husband Helmut Huber share how they have battled with his afib. The video describes the health risks of afib, including stroke, and explains how the more than two million Americans with afib can care for themselves or a loved one with the condition. Check it out at: http://www.FacingAFib.com
- AF Stat, “A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation.” Narrated by Jerry West, the former NBA player whose likeness was used for the red, white and blue NBA logo, this video describes how afib may go untreated. West, for example, says that he has lived with the condition for many years. Check it out at: http://www.AFStat.com
- Heart Rhythm Society, “A-Fib Feels Like.” This public service announcement describes what it’s like to live with afib and helps those who may not even know that they have the condition to recognize the symptoms. In the video, dramatizations from afib patients describe what it’s like to feel afib and viewers are urged to speak with their doctors if they believe they are feeling the same kind of symptoms. Check it out at: http://bit.ly/HRS-PSA
For more information, please visit:
www.stopafib.org and www.mellaniehills.com
Reference:
- U.S. Congress. Senate. Congressional Record. 111th Congress. September 11, 2009. p. S9299. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2009-09-11/pdf/CREC-2009-09-11-pt1-PgS9296-2.pdf#page=4
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