Why It Matters

The American Heart Association (AHA) is lobbying to address a fundamental health care gap: cardiovascular health remains underfunded despite being the leading cause of death in America. The AHA faces a fragmented policy landscape where critical issues—from maternal cardiovascular mortality to rural cardiac rehabilitation access to telehealth reimbursement—lack sustained congressional momentum.

The organization’s strategy targets legislative solutions on multiple fronts: expanding Medicare coverage for cardiac rehabilitation through the Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act, securing NIH research funding, modernizing telehealth payment policies, and advancing FDA enforcement on unauthorized nicotine products. By deploying a seven-member in-house team with deep congressional experience—particularly Kristy K. Anderson’s Senate Agriculture Committee background—the AHA is positioning itself as a central player in shaping how Congress addresses cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment access.

By the Numbers

The American Heart Association filed an in-house lobbying disclosure for Q4 2025, reporting $230,000 in expenditures. This continues the organization’s longstanding advocacy presence—the AHA has been actively lobbying since at least 2003, with 244 total disclosures and over $20 million in reported expenditures. In-house operations account for 78 filings totaling over $17.6 million, indicating the AHA’s preference for maintaining direct control over advocacy strategy.

The fourth quarter in-house team consists of seven registered lobbyists. Kristy K. Anderson brings direct congressional access, having served as a staff assistant for the Senate Agriculture Committee (2002-2004) and legislative correspondent for Senator Tom Harkin. Susan K. Bishop is a veteran advocate with nearly two decades at the AHA across 70 disclosures. The team has recently expanded with four new members joining in 2023-2025, suggesting the AHA is broadening its lobbying capacity.

The Agenda

The AHA is lobbying across eight major policy areas: health issues, Medicare/Medicaid, budget/appropriations, agriculture, transportation, government issues, tobacco, and environmental policy. Key priorities include healthcare affordability, telehealth expansion, maternal health outcomes, stroke prevention, and Medicare coverage for cardiac rehabilitation.

Current congressional activity aligns with AHA priorities. S.2289, the Healthy Moms and Babies Act, addresses maternal health through Medicaid expansion. S.717 and H.R. 6894, the Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act, would expand provider eligibility for cardiac rehab supervision. Telehealth legislation including S.763 reflects AHA advocacy priorities on modernizing Medicare reimbursement.

Broader Context

Congress is actively debating legislation aligned with the AHA’s mission. Multiple bills addressing cardiovascular disease awareness have advanced, including Senate resolutions designating February 2025 as "American Heart Month" and House measures supporting National Hypertension Awareness Month. The Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act has attracted bipartisan support, particularly for rural communities.

The FDA’s proposed nicotine reduction rule creates favorable conditions for AHA’s tobacco control advocacy. Telehealth expansion remains contested, with Medicare flexibilities extended through January 2026, requiring continued advocacy to prevent policy expiration. Budget uncertainty surrounding NIH research appropriations underscores the importance of AHA’s focus on federal research funding.

Between The Lines

Congressional engagement with AHA priorities is robust. The Senate passed resolutions for February 2025 as "American Heart Month" and "National Cholesterol Education Month," while the House advanced H.Res.416 supporting "National Hypertension Awareness Month."

Recent hearings demonstrate receptive ground for AHA advocacy. House committees examined expanding access in employer-sponsored health care and health insurance affordability. Members are actively championing AHA priorities: Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) explicitly thanked the American Heart Association when introducing hypertension awareness legislation.

Competitive Landscape

The AHA operates within a crowded ecosystem of health advocacy organizations pursuing overlapping legislative priorities. The Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health appears as an allied actor on hypertension awareness. The AHA’s extensive policy portfolio creates both advantages and competition—its maternal cardiovascular health focus overlaps with women’s health organizations, while child nutrition lobbying intersects with education and nutrition advocacy groups.

The organization’s long institutional history, substantial research funding mechanisms, and comprehensive policy agenda position it as a leading voice, though it operates as one significant player among many health organizations competing for congressional attention.

The Bottom Line

The American Heart Association’s Q4 2025 filing shows $230,000 in expenditures across a comprehensive agenda spanning healthcare affordability, cardiac rehabilitation access, maternal health, and research funding. The seven-member team’s priorities align with active congressional efforts, including bipartisan cardiac rehabilitation legislation and Senate passage of cardiovascular health awareness resolutions. With 244 lobbying disclosures since 2003 totaling over $20 million, the AHA maintains sustained engagement on core priorities within a legislative environment receptive to healthcare access initiatives, though partisan divisions persist on broader affordability questions.

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