A resolution designating February 2025 as "American Heart Month".
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 87
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-21: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1303; text: CR S1136)
- Last Updated
- 2025-03-05T16:37:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 87) aims to designate February 2025 as "American Heart Month" to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes conditions like heart disease and stroke. It highlights the prevalence, risks, and prevention of CVD while supporting ongoing efforts to reduce its impact on public health.
Key Provisions
- Designation and Support: The Senate designates February 2025 as American Heart Month and endorses its goals, including promoting awareness of CVD causes, risks, and prevention.
- Commitment to Action: Reaffirms the U.S. dedication to combating CVD through:
- Increasing public awareness and early detection.
- Supporting research into CVD.
- Improving health outcomes to lower disability and death rates.
- Recognition of Efforts: Commends states, local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals who participate in American Heart Month activities, such as National Wear Red Day organized by the American Heart Association.
- Public Encouragement: Urges all Americans to learn about their personal CVD risks and adopt lifestyle changes (e.g., better diet, exercise, quitting tobacco) and medical treatments to reduce risks.
- Background Facts: The preamble provides data on CVD's impact, such as it being the leading cause of death (over 940,000 lives in 2022), high costs ($252 billion in 2019-2020), and disparities in racial/ethnic groups. It also notes risk factors like high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes, and requests the President to issue an annual proclamation under existing law (36 U.S.C. § 101).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution and introduces no changes to existing laws. It builds on a long-standing tradition (since 1964) of presidential proclamations for American Heart Month and references current statutes without altering them.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: May increase public awareness, encouraging preventive behaviors and early detection, potentially saving lives and reducing healthcare costs (projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2035 if unaddressed).
- On Government Agencies: Prompts federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services to support CVD research and education, though no new funding or mandates are created.
- On International Relations: None, as this is a domestic public health awareness measure.
- Overall, impacts are primarily symbolic and educational, fostering voluntary public health initiatives without enforceable requirements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals and Families: All Americans, especially those at risk for CVD (e.g., women, racial/ethnic minorities, pregnant individuals, and infants with congenital heart defects), who may benefit from heightened awareness.
- Health Organizations: Groups like the American Heart Association, which lead awareness campaigns.
- Healthcare Providers and Researchers: Supported in their efforts to promote prevention, treatment, and studies on CVD.
- Government Entities: Federal, state, and local governments involved in public health promotion.
- Businesses and Nonprofits: Encouraged to participate in events like National Wear Red Day to boost community education.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution agreed to by the Senate, it has no legal force but aligns with congressional authority to express policy views and request presidential action (no enforcement power).
- Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's role in promoting general welfare (under Article I, Section 8) through non-binding public health resolutions, without infringing on executive proclamation powers.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (introduced by Senators Durbin and Crapo) for public health priorities, potentially influencing future funding debates on CVD research and equity in healthcare access, while highlighting ongoing disparities without mandating policy shifts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-21: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1303; text: CR S1136)
- 2025-02-21: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-02-21: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Designating February 2025 as American Heart Month. — issued 2025-02-21 — PDF (4 pages)