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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) and Congressman Chip Pickering (R-MS) announced the introduction of their bill, the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention (STOP) Stroke Act. Capps and her colleagues in the House and Senate have pushed the STOP Stroke Act in previous Congressional sessions, and the legislation has enjoyed strong bi-partisan support. The comprehensive legislation will advance the fight against stroke through a multi-faceted approach.
“For too long strokes have plagued our country, annually costing over 150,000 Americans their lives and causing serious long-term disability in others,” said Capps. “Although these statistics are heart-breaking, the bigger tragedy is that much of this suffering could have been prevented with proper treatment that is readily available today. To help address this crisis, Rep. Pickering and I have introduced the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention (STOP) Stroke Act. This legislation has shown much promise and received strong bi-partisan support in previous Congressional sessions. We hope that with the new Congressional leadership, this life saving legislation will pass quickly in order to improve public awareness of stroke and its symptoms, and to train all medical and emergency services personnel to deal with this problem.”
“The loss of health or life to individuals by stroke can devastate a family, and the economic cost of stroke to America’s healthcare system is staggering. The United States spends over $30 billion annually caring for stroke victims. This legislation seeks to prevent and more effectively treat strokes to save lives, improve recovery, and lower health care costs. Millions of Americans will benefit from this STOP Stroke legislation and investing in prevention and treatment will cut costs for taxpayers,” Pickering said.
“The STOP Stroke Act will provide states with the resources needed to implement coordinated stroke systems of care so that all stroke victims receive timely evaluation and optimal treatment,” said Larry Goldstein, MD, Chair, American Stroke Association Stroke Council. “An integrated systems approach can improve a stroke patient’s chances for a successful recovery. When it comes to stroke, every minute counts – time lost is brain lost. The American Stroke Association commends Representative Capps and Representative Pickering for making stroke, America’s No. 3 killer and a leading cause of disability, a national priority.”
The Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention (STOP Stroke) Act will:
Ø Raise public awareness - Authorizes funding for a national public information campaign to educate the public about stroke, including how to prevent it, recognize the warning signs, and seek emergency treatment as soon as symptoms occur;
Ø Help states fight stroke - Establishes a grant program to help states ensure that stroke patients have access to quality care;
Ø Collect and share best practices - Authorizes the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry and creates a clearinghouse to provide technical assistance to states and share best practices in stroke treatment and prevention; and
Ø Educate medical professionals - Provides opportunities to train appropriate medical personnel in newly developed approaches for preventing and treating stroke.
Stroke is our nation's number three killer and a leading cause of long-term disability. Each year, more than 700,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke, and more than 150,000 individuals die from stroke. Today, about 5.7 million Americans are stroke survivors, and as many as 30 percent are permanently disabled, requiring extensive and costly care.
Congresswoman Lois Capps is a registered nurse and co-chair of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition.
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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.
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