HRA Board Chair Brings Heart Rhythm Priorities to Capitol Hill

On July 23, 2026, Heart Rhythm Advocates (HRA) Board Chair Mina Chung, MD, met with three members of Ohio’s congressional delegation and their staffs to advance policies supporting heart rhythm patients, cardiac emergency preparedness, and access to specialty cardiovascular care.

Dr. Chung, a cardiac electrophysiologist and physician-scientist at Cleveland Clinic, met with Representative Troy Balderson (R-OH-12) and staff member Brock West; Representative Mike Carey (R-OH-15) and staff member Ryan Dalbec; and Representative Shontel Brown (D-OH-9) and staff member Julia Rossman.

The meetings focused on several of HRA’s leading federal priorities, including passage of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514). The bipartisan legislation would modernize the prior-authorization process in Medicare Advantage, increase transparency, and help reduce unnecessary delays in patient care. H.R. 3514 recently cleared both House committees of jurisdiction by unanimous votes - 42-0 in the Ways and Means Committee and 45-0 in the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Dr. Chung also discussed the importance of protecting patient access to cardiac-device and remote physiologic monitoring. These services allow clinicians to identify arrhythmias, device problems, and other clinically significant changes earlier, but require Medicare policies that appropriately recognize the clinical staff, technology, and infrastructure involved in delivering continuous remote care.

Cardiac emergency preparedness was another central topic. HRA urged support for $50 million in fiscal year 2027 funding to implement the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Research, and Training in Schools (HEARTS) Act. The request includes funding for school cardiac emergency response plans and AED access, CDC cardiomyopathy education and risk-assessment tools, and NIH research and reporting.

HRA also encouraged support for the Residential AED and CPR Preparedness Act (H.R. 9058), currently before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The legislation would help residents and building personnel recognize sudden cardiac arrest, perform hands-only CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator while emergency assistance is on the way.

The congressional meetings took place as HRA and the Heart Rhythm Society prepared to host hands-only CPR and AED training for congressional staff on Capitol Hill. Together, the meetings and training highlighted the need for both strong federal health policy and practical community preparedness to improve survival and outcomes for people affected by heart rhythm disorders and sudden cardiac arrest.

TAKE ACTION: You can support the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514) by sending a message to your Congress representatives.