North Dakota

The 2013 North Dakota legislative session was an amazing, policy-packed four months for us. “We” succeeded in saving and improving lives through each and every policy priority in which we engaged: acute heart systems of care, newborn screenings for congenital heart defects, expanding stroke funding, CPR training in schools and Medicaid Expansion. Whew!  And what made the difference was the “we” in the process.

 For advocacy to be truly effective it should be a conversation with others, and not one-directional. As a result it helps to build relationships with others - in reaching out throughout North Dakota and engaging with organizations, people and groups. It helps to learn more about others - their work and their agendas. Given that North Dakotans are interconnected with so many others, collaborative advocacy helps to successfully navigate the changing external environment and access new opportunities. 

The 2013 success of our You’re the Cure network, state advocacy committee and staff team is due to the ability to dive deep with our extended relationships.  We demonstrated the knack for engaging with a wide range of personalities and challenges.  AHA also demonstrated that we are good teammates and live the values of both our organization and our state.

More often than not, legislators contemplating a key vote are motivated by the work we do and how we do it.  The stories we shared, the champions who stepped forward, and the partnerships we valued all added to our amazing success.  “Thanks from the Heart” – to all who helped this session.

Through the efforts of the AHA and other stakeholder partners, Mission: Lifeline is having an impact on heart attack victims in North Dakota.  Doctors use data from an EKG to get a better picture of what`s going on before they treat the patient. In the past, the EKG was done when the patient got to the emergency room. Now, because of Mission: Lifeline, the EKG can be done in the ambulance and the results sent to the hospital.

Once the information from the EKG is obtained, it is transmitted immediately to a receiving hospital.  That vital information is verified by a cardiologist and the emergency department physician for an acute MI or STEMI. Hospital staff can then prepare for the arrival of that patient by ensuring their cath lab is availble and appropriate staff are in place. 

Recent KFYR news report outlines the impact that technology is having on heart care in North Dakota.  To read more, CLICK HERE.

Arden and Linda Warner North Dakota

Arden Warner, Rugby, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while entering a local business.  The heroic efforts of an off duty EMT and a county Deputy/EMT saved the 63-year-old man’s life.

Warner's wife, Linda, has been a You're the Cure Advocate with AHA for many years. She stated "he is one lucky guy – for those two trained EMTs to be in the same place as Arden. It’s just unbelievable!”

 When the EMT realized there was not a pulse, she immediately started CPR while the second EMT/Deputy went to get the AED from inside the Spirit Lake Casino. The AED shocked him a couple times before a rhythm was detected.

 Arden was flown to a Grand Forks hospital where a defibrillator was implanted and Arden is doing just fine now.  Linda said, “Our family is so very grateful for these two trained EMTs. They are very humble heroes, and we simply can’t thank them enough.”

AHA advocates, emergency medicine professionals, students, staff and survivors were on hand to thank Governor Dalrymple for signing a bill that provides financial support to school districts that teach CPR prior to high school graduation.  The bill is not a mandate on schools, nor does it take away funding from other areas. Rather, this bill provides funding to those schools that choose to provide CPR instruction within a part of an existing class course required for graduation. This bill provides a platform for schools to train future generations so that we have a community able to respond to a cardiac emergency.  Project implementation will strive to encourage schools to consider the type of course that best meets their school curriculum, and to encourage in-kind match support in order to build a sustainable program of CPR in every school.

In addition to teaching high school students this life-saving skill, learning CPR in high school provides students with a glimpse of emergency medicine and has the potential to inspire the next generation of emergency medical professionals.  North Dakota needs students to enter into the medical professions and learning CPR as a high school student can provide that entry level interest. 

Governor Jack Dalrymple joined with advocates, survivors, staff and bill sponsors to sign the critical congenital heart defects screening bill.  The bill requires that infants be screened for critical congenital heart defects prior to leaving the hospital to go home.  Joining the governor as special guests are Reiken Anderson, who is a heart survivor, McKenzie and Jason Anderson, Reiken's parents, and brother Syler Anderson, and Lisa Lindberg. 

North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple has signed HB 1175, a bill which establishes a STEMI registry and STEMI designation process/criteria.  In addition, it establishes an advisory committee to continue the great work of Mission Lifeline and allows for work on other emergency heart systems of care. 

Advocates, stakeholders, and staff worked hard throughout the session to demonstrate how the registry and STEMI designation will help to improve outcomes from a STEMI-heart attack.  We applaud lawmakers and Governor Dalrymple for approving HB 1175 to continue to build our emergency heart system of care. 

The CPR in schools funding bill passed another hurdle in the North Dakota legislature and is one step closer to the Governor's desk.  To see how students are reacting to learning CPR in school, CLICK HERE.

As other states around the county - like Virginia just last week - are approving bills that require CPR instruction as a graduation requirement, the momentum in North Dakota is building around SB 2238, a bill that would provide funding to schools that teach CPR prior to high school graduation.  The bill passed through the Senate and is now being considered by the House Appropriations - Education subcommittee.  For more on this story, CLICK HERE. 

SB 2238, the CPR bill, has been referred to the House Appropriations - Education and Environment subcommittee and will soon be heard by committee members.  Advocates are asked to reach out to subcommittee members, especially if a representative resides in their district.  Subcommittee members are Skarphol, Monson, Dosch, Grande, Martinson, Streyle, Boe and Williams.  Visit our Action Center to take action on this alert.  If you know one of these representatives personally, please consider placing a phone call to their office, encouraging their support for SB 2238. 

CPR saves lives.  This bill will help to create the next generation of life-savers. 

Several initiatives supported by the AHA have advanced from their house of origin and will soon be considered by the other chamber.  These issues include congenital heart defects screening, expanded stroke funding, funding for CPR in schools and support for continued STEMI system of care.  Advocate involvement and communication has been instrumental in moving these issues forward.  But our work is not done!  Much work is needed to keep these issues moving toward the Governor for signature.  Please visit the Action Center frequently and take action on alerts as they are published.  We are counting on you, our advocates, to help us improve the cardiovascular health of all North Dakotans!