MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The American Heart Association is renewing its push at the Kansas Statehouse this session, focusing on policies aimed at increasing survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest through improved CPR access, training, and emergency response systems.
Kari Rinker, the organization’s region senior state government relations lead, said advocacy has become a critical part of the association’s mission as cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. An estimated 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur nationwide each year, with only about one in 10 victims surviving without immediate intervention.
“One of our goals is turning bystanders into lifesavers,” Rinker said. “We want people to be prepared and confident to step in and act when a cardiac arrest happens.”
Focus on telecommunicator CPR
A major priority this year is expanding telecommunicator CPR across Kansas. Telecommunicator CPR allows 911 dispatchers to provide real-time, verbal CPR instructions to callers witnessing a cardiac arrest until first responders arrive.
Rinker said a recent work group involving the American Heart Association, the Kansas 911 Board, and the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association found that about half of Kansas counties do not currently have telecommunicator CPR protocols in place. That means whether a caller receives CPR guidance can depend entirely on where the emergency occurs.
“To us, 911 dispatchers are truly the first first-responders,” Rinker said. “They can make the difference between life and death.”
Legislation introduced last year, Senate Bill 11, would require all Kansas 911 medical dispatchers to receive standardized telecommunicator CPR training. Similar laws have already been adopted in Oklahoma and Nebraska. However, the bill has faced resistance, largely due to concerns over state mandates.
While statewide legislation has stalled, Rinker noted that free online training—four hours initially, with a two-hour annual refresher—has already been developed and could be accessed by dispatch centers. Even so, without a requirement, some agencies may choose not to participate.
Progress being made in Kansas schools
Another advocacy success cited by Rinker is the requirement that all Kansas public schools have a cardiac emergency response plan. The law, passed several years ago with bipartisan legislative support, requires schools to prepare for cardiac emergencies involving students, staff, and visitors.
As of July of 2025, about 87 percent of Kansas schools have submitted their plans to the state health department. However, surveys show that many districts—particularly in rural areas—still lack adequate automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training equipment.
“We’ve learned that having a plan and being able to fully implement it are two different things,” Rinker said.
The American Heart Association is now working with lawmakers to establish a grant program that would help schools purchase AEDs and training equipment, with hopes of securing funding during the current legislative cycle.
Kansas Advocacy Day set for March 4
These priorities will be front and center during Kansas Advocacy Day on March 4 in Topeka. Advocates from across the state will meet with legislators to share information and personal stories about cardiac arrest survival and bystander CPR.
“Personal stories are the most powerful thing elected officials can hear,” Rinker said. “We’ll be joined by survivors and by people whose lives were saved because someone stepped in and performed CPR.”
CPR education for the public
Rinker emphasized that learning CPR does not have to be intimidating or time-consuming. Short instructional videos are widely available, and even basic knowledge—pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest—can save a life.
“We train kids as young as 12,” she said. “Anyone can do CPR, and people shouldn’t hesitate because they think they need a full certification first.”
Those interested in heart-health advocacy or Advocacy Day can get more information by texting KS to 46839.
“Every person who learns CPR or speaks up for these policies helps make Kansas a safer place,” Rinker said.