Below are current legislation and policies ACHA supports in the areas of our four key priorities of increasing funding for research, improving access to care, growing awareness of ACHD, and ensuring people with ACHD have a voice in all aspects of their care. Learn more about these priorities on our Advocate webpage.
The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act
ACHA supports the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (H.R. 4758/S. 2372), also called AKACA. This legislation was introduced during the 118th Congress and would require state Medicaid programs to create a process for out-of-state providers to enroll in their Medicaid programs for five years without additional screening requirements. In its current form, AKACA says a qualifying healthcare provider must serve people under age 21 who have been screened for or participate in their own state’s Medicaid program, among other requirements. This legislation would support some young adults with congenital heart conditions to receive the specialized care they need, especially in regions where they need to cross state lines to find an ACHD provider.
The House version of this bill passed in September 2024. It has not been voted on in the Senate. In both chambers, AKACA has strong support from both parties, with 124 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and 42 in the Senate. ACHA supports passage of this legislation in the current legislative session.
Learn about the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act.
The Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024
ACHA successfully advocated for passage of the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 7189/S. 3757). This legislation, also known as CHFRA, authorizes up to $10 million in annual federal funding for CHD programs at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to deliver a report to Congress that will study and make recommendations to address the shortage of providers with expertise in ACHD.
Learn about the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024.
House Resolution Supporting Awareness of Young Adults with Chronic Conditions
In late 2023, ACHA supported a resolution introduced by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08) and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) expressing support for raising awareness of the growing population of young adults living with chronic health conditions. Complex CHD was highlighted, and the resolution called for increased awareness, research, interagency data-sharing, and acknowledgment of the long-term health and social impacts of chronic illnesses.
Read the resolution.
Find out what ACHA’s CEO and President Mark Roeder said about the resolution.
Contact us about legislation and policies in your area that we should track or support.
Updated 1/31/25