The American Heart Association worked with advocates across the state to announce its policy agenda for the 2025 legislative session, prioritizing initiatives focused on improving the health and well-being of all Hoosiers.
During the legislative session, the agenda will focus on six key initiatives:
- Ensuring schools establish a cardiac emergency response plan.
- Adding Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center to the Stroke Center Designation Code.
- Creating a state-wide stroke registry using the Association’s Get With The Guidelines.
- Raising the tobacco tax from $0.99 to $2 and creating tax parity for vape, heated tobacco and other alternatives.
- Adding healthy nutrition and physical activity standards as part of the licensing requirement for Early Childhood Education Centers.
- Defending against anticipated Medicaid cuts and making sure that expansion, post-partum care and coverage for self-monitored blood pressure remains.
“The American Heart Association urges Indiana lawmakers to prioritize these essential policies to improve the health of all Hoosiers. Together, we can work to reduce the number of deaths caused by heart disease, expand access to life-saving healthcare, and promote healthier communities across the state,” the Association said in a statement.
The American Heart Association seeks to ensure equitable health in all communities and has been a leading source of health information for more than 100 years. Association advocates will be at the Indiana State Capitol on Feb. 17 to visit with legislators about their agenda. For more information about Lobby Day, visit midwestregion.quorum.us/event/20269.
To support the Association’s work in Indiana, join the You’re the Cure network by texting IN to 46839. Participants will receive updates about these bills and opportunities to engage with elected officials to support these initiatives.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
