Community AED Act of 2001

Community AED Act of 2001 calls for federal funding of defibrillation programs

July 25, 2001

The Community Access to Emergency Defibrillation Act of 2001 was introduced by Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Bill Frist, MD (R-TN) at the end of July. It was approved August 1, 2001. The bill, S. 1275, authorizes a grant program for states, communities and other political subdivisions to apply for funding to establish early defibrillation programs. It authorizes $55 million each year for five years, for the purchase of AEDs and training in their use.

The final language of the bill incorporates elements of S 1041 "Automatic Defibrillation in Adam’s Memory Act", introduced on June 14th by Senators Russell Feingold (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME). The "Adam Act" calls for federal funding to support school-site AED programs.

The National Center for Early Defibrillation joins the American Heart Association and other national health organizations supporting this legislation. (To see NCED letter of support, click here.)

For a summary of the legislation, click here. For the final bill, click here.

To contact your Senator to support this legislation, click here.