American Heart Association Outlines Priorities | Video

Michelle San Miguel | 9/19/2012

When you have a hefty state surplus, many organizations will seek funding during the legislative session. The American Heart Association met in Bismarck Wednesday to discuss policies the organization plans to address with lawmakers.

The AHA wants the state to require all hospitals to screen newborns for a congenital heart defect prior to being discharged from the hospital. Only high-risk newborns are now being tested for a congenital heart defect. The organization also wants to require that all high school students become CPR-certified before they graduate.

"More often than not someone next to you that you know is gonna be that person that collapses unexpectedly and has a heart attack. And so, equipping our youth to take that role in our community to save that life is so vital," said Jolene Engelhart, an advocate for the American Heart Association.

The organization is also backing Measure 4, which will ban smoking in public places statewide.

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