In 2024, Michigan made headlines when Governor Gretchen Whitmer, alongside NFL star Damar Hamlin, signed legislation aimed at making schools safer for student-athletes and staff. The goal was simple and vital: ensure every school has a cardiac emergency response plan, access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and staff trained in CPR.
However, as the 2025-26 school year approaches, a significant hurdle has emerged: The state has failed to provide the money to make it happen.
The Funding Gap
While the law “requires” schools to adopt these life-saving plans, it includes a major loophole: the requirements only apply if the Legislature appropriates “sufficient funds.” To date, no dedicated money has been included in the state’s education budget for these specific measures
A proposal for $25 million that included AED devices was stripped from the final budget due to what officials call “competing priorities.” Without that state support, many districts—especially those in under-resourced or rural areas—are left to fend for themselves.
Why it Matters
The stakes could not be higher. Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death among young athletes, and the survival rate drops by 7% to 10% for every minute that passes without treatment.
- The Survival Triple Threat: Data shows that survival rates triple when a bystander uses an AED and performs CPR before paramedics arrive.
- Current Status: Only about 20% of Michigan schools have earned the state’s "HeartSafe" designation, which confirms they are fully prepared for a cardiac event.
- The Cost of Safety: Advocates from the American Heart Association estimate that a one-time $6 million investment could close the gap, providing the training and equipment necessary to protect students statewide.
Success Stories and Challenges
The article highlights the story of Emily Orta, who survived a cardiac arrest at age 14 during a soccer drill in Adrian. Her life was saved because her coaches immediately started CPR and someone was able to grab a nearby AED.
“I wouldn’t be here today,” Orta says. But her story is the exception rather than the rule. Many schools currently rely on grants or local fundraising to buy AEDs, which can cost up to $3,500 each.
The Path Forward
Health advocates and medical professionals are continuing to lobby Michigan lawmakers to turn this “unfunded mandate” into a reality. As Gwen Fosse of Project ADAM points out, the last time a student died in a Michigan school fire was 1927, but students die from cardiac arrest every year. It’s time our school safety funding reflects the modern reality of student health risks.
SOURCE: Bridge Michigan. Read the full investigation by Bridge Michigan here: Michigan wants schools ready for cardiac emergencies, fails to provide funds