What is the Access to AEDs Act or H.R.6523? (Article)

What is the Access to AEDs Act or H.R.6523?

The Access to AEDs Act H.R.6523 is a piece of proposed legislation that seeks to increase access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces. The bill was introduced by Congressman Tom Emmer of Minnesota on July 26, 2018, and is currently pending in the United States House of Representatives.

An AED is a portable medical device that can analyze the heart's rhythm and deliver an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of over 350,000 people each year. However, early defibrillation with an AED can increase the chances of survival by up to 70%.

Despite the proven benefits of AEDs, they are not widely available in public places such as schools, gyms, and public parks. The Access to AEDs Act seeks to change that by providing grants to eligible organizations to purchase and maintain AEDs.

Eligibility

Under the proposed legislation, eligible organizations would include schools, government buildings, nonprofit organizations, and businesses that have at least 20 employees. The grants would cover up to 50% of the cost of purchasing and maintaining AEDs, with a maximum grant amount of $10,000 per organization.

To be eligible for the grant, organizations would be required to have an emergency action plan in place that includes the deployment and maintenance of AEDs. They would also need to ensure that their AEDs are registered with local emergency medical services (EMS) and that their employees are trained in CPR and AED use.

Support

The Access to AEDs Act has received bipartisan support, with co-sponsors from both the Republican and Democratic parties. Supporters of the bill argue that it will save lives by increasing access to AEDs in public spaces and ensuring that people are trained in their use. Many public use spaces

Opponents of the bill have raised concerns about the cost of the grants and the potential liability for organizations that receive them. However, with the proper emergency actions plans and training in place, the benefits can alleviate many of the concerns.

Summary

The Access to AEDs Act H.R. 6523 is an important piece of legislation that seeks to improve public health and safety by increasing access to life-saving AEDs. If passed, it has the potential to save countless lives and improve outcomes for those who experience sudden cardiac arrest.

The Next Steps

If you have questions regarding how your organization can benefit, please reach out and Avobus Equipment will be more than happy to assist in navigating the process. Many businesses want to increase their emergency readiness but are not familiar with the required materials. Avobus Equipment can help with that too. We believe that readiness and training are key when it comes to saving lives, and together we can help achieve that goal.

For a list of Congressional Supporters, click the link here: Congress.gov