October 3, 2001—The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee unanimously approved legislation that would help communities implement early defibrillation programs. The Community Access to Emergency Devices Act (Community AED Act) would create a grant program for states and communities to help develop Public Access to Defibrillation (PAD) programs by authorizing more than $55 million per year for Fiscal Years 2002 through 2007. It would also establish a demonstration program for political subdivisions and Indian tribes interested in developing innovative PAD program and includes an authorization for an additional $5 million per year for the same five-year period for these programs.
For more information about public access defibrillation programs, contact The American Heart Association.
