Bill Overview
Title: Access to AEDs Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to local educational agencies and private elementary and secondary schools, in partnership with a health care entity, to promote student access to defibrillation in elementary and secondary schools.
Sponsors: Rep. Lawson, Al, Jr. [D-FL-5]
Target Audience
Population: Students, teachers, staff, and visitors in elementary and secondary schools worldwide
Estimated Size: 60000000
- Access to AEDs in schools targets students primarily since the bill promotes access to defibrillation in elementary and secondary schools.
- Teachers, school staff, and visitors may also benefit in emergencies since AEDs can be used on anyone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest on school premises.
- School healthcare personnel will likely need training in the use of AEDs, impacting staff requirements.
Reasoning
- The target population primarily consists of students, teachers, administrators, and visitors to elementary and secondary schools. This is a large and diverse group, typically concentrated in urban and suburban areas, although rural areas may also be significantly impacted by the lack of immediate emergency response equipment.
- The budget constraints imply that the policy could mainly fund the placement of AEDs in a fraction of schools initially, likely prioritizing schools with higher populations or those in urban areas with faster access to emergency medical services.
- The funding over ten years suggests a gradual scale-up approach, providing ongoing support for training and maintenance. Schools with larger student bodies and frequent visitors might prioritize AED installation.
- Consideration should be given to schools with special needs students or those with higher incidences of health issues among the student population, as they stand to benefit directly.
- A wide range of biographical backgrounds for those in the target population ensures the simulation accounts for the varying levels of impact depending on location, occupation within the school, and individual health awareness.
Simulated Interviews
Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think having AEDs in schools is really important. We have discussed in the health committee how AEDs can save lives if someone suddenly collapses during school.
- This gives me some peace of mind knowing that if something happens, the school is better prepared.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Teacher (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a coach and a PE teacher, my classes and events involve physical activity that could result in emergencies. AEDs would definitely help us respond more effectively.
- I support any measure that prioritizes student safety, and this policy could save lives during sports events.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
School Nurse (Rural Texas)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's difficult being the only healthcare professional at the school, especially in emergencies. Having AEDs would mean I could respond quicker in cardiac emergencies.
- Rural schools often lack immediate access to emergency medical services, so this would be a crucial addition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Principal (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ensuring the safety of students is my top priority. AEDs are a vital component in our emergency response plan, especially considering the large number of students and staff we manage.
- This policy would relieve some of the stress in handling health emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 12 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I heard about AEDs in a health class and think they're cool to have for emergencies at school, especially since I'm in sports and sometimes teammates get hurt.
- It makes me feel safer knowing there's equipment like that at school.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
School Administrative Staff (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Installing AEDs is a critical upgrade in our emergency preparedness plans. With this policy, we can systematically install and train personnel to use them.
- Budget constraints have always made it hard to invest in health upgrades, so this would certainly help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Parent of a student (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've read about how AEDs can save lives, and as a parent, I'm relieved to know they might be available at my kids' school.
- I definitely support the policy. Anything that improves safety is a win for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 16 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think AEDs in schools are important, especially since our school is large and emergencies can happen anytime.
- Covering stories on students' health and safety, I believe it's a necessary step for our school.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having AEDs available is critical in emergencies and having them at school improves my confidence in managing student's safety.
- This policy is a step in the right direction for health equipment accessibility at our school.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
School District Healthcare Coordinator (Detroit, MI)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I always push for more accessible emergency health measures, and AEDs are a fundamental part of that.
- Implementing this policy district-wide could improve emergency outcomes significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 3: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 5: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 10: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 100: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of AED deployments requires adequate staff training and maintenance.
- Coordination with healthcare entities at local levels may impact cost based on variability in local agreements.
- The spread of schools across urban and rural settings can lead to logistical and cost differences.