Honoring Carol Leavell Barr by Fighting Back Against Valvular Heart Disease

Last Monday, I introduced the Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy (CAROL) Act to honor my late wife, Eleanor Carol Leavell Barr, and fight back against valvular heart disease. The CAROL Act addresses the gap in understanding about what makes valvular heart disease life threatening by authorizing a grant program administered by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), supporting research on valvular heart disease. The CAROL Act encourages the use of technological imaging and precision medicine to generate data on individuals with valvular disease. Critically, this research will help identify Americans at high risk of sudden cardiac death from valvular disease and develop prediction models for high-risk patients, enabling interventions and treatment plans to keep these patients healthy throughout their lives. My goal is to relentlessly work to raise awareness about this issue and power 21st Century medical innovation to save lives, allowing individuals the opportunity for longer, healthier lives.

Additionally, the CAROL Act instructs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase public awareness about valvular heart disease and develop effective strategies for preventing sudden cardiac death. The CAROL Act has been endorsed by The American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and WomenHeart.

I spoke with Good Morning America on Wednesday about the tremendous legacy Carol leaves behind. Carol was a fantastic mother to our two daughters, and she brought so much joy and compassion into the world. Carol used to say to all of us “just get it done” and that is what we plan to do with this legislation in her honor. The world will certainly miss Carol, but her legacy will not be forgotten and will be carried on through determined research to help those who suffer from heart disease.

Locate Free Tax Filing Assistance Sites

With tax season approaching, free tax filing assistance sites are available to help people prepare and file tax returns. In addition to the VITA Locator Tool, which searches for free return preparation sites by Zip Code, you can search for free tax preparation sites by State and County or Zip code using this link – VITA / TCE / AARP Sites (irs.gov). Constituents can also call 800-906-9887 to find a location near them.

If a VITA or TCE site is not available in your area, IRS encourages people to try the IRS Free File program. The Free File program allows most people to use commercial online software, at no cost, to prepare and electronically file their tax return. On the Free File home page, users can browse the full list of online offers to pick the one that best fits their needs.

Eligible individuals can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2020 Form 1040 or 1040-SR. These forms can be used by people who are not normally required to file tax returns but are eligible for the credit. For information see Recovery Rebate Credit and Recovery Rebate Credit Frequently Asked Questions.

Sincerely,

Congressman Andy Barr

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