# What This Bill Actually Does

This is a symbolic resolution that officially recognizes February 2023 as "American Heart Month" and calls attention to heart disease as a major public health problem in the United States. It's not a law that creates new programs or changes existing ones—it's more like a formal statement from Congress saying "we acknowledge this is important and we're committed to addressing it."

The resolution highlights some sobering facts about cardiovascular disease to make its case. Heart disease kills nearly 930,000 Americans annually, more than all cancers combined. Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a heart attack. The bill points out that heart disease and stroke are particularly deadly for pregnant women and new mothers, and that death rates from heart disease have actually been increasing in recent years, especially among women and communities of color. If nothing changes, the U.S. could spend over a trillion dollars on heart disease costs by 2035.

The resolution asks Congress to support efforts to fight cardiovascular disease through three main approaches: raising public awareness about heart disease risks and prevention, funding research to better understand and treat the disease, and improving access to affordable healthcare. It also acknowledges that the COVID-19 pandemic may have worsened heart health outcomes and encourages Americans to learn about their personal risk factors. While this resolution doesn't directly fund programs or mandate specific actions, it represents a formal commitment from Congress to prioritize heart disease prevention and treatment as a national health priority.

Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world's leading cause of preventable death and disability and as the global public health crisis of this generation and supporting the recognition of February 2023 as "American Heart Month".

Smith, Christopher H.

 <p>This resolution supports the designation of American Heart Month.</p>