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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) and Congressman Chip Pickering (R-MS) celebrated an important first step for their STOP Stroke bill. The bipartisan legislation was passed by the Subcommittee on Health and now moves to the full Energy and Commerce Committee for further consideration.
“I’m pleased the STOP Stroke bill is moving quickly through the legislative process,” said Congresswoman Lois Capps, a nurse and member of the Health Subcommittee. “Congress has only been in session a few months, but we are already moving forward with important healthcare initiatives such as the STOP Stroke bill. The Health Subcommittee’s bipartisan support for this legislation is a promising sign and I am hopeful that this critical legislation will soon be considered by the full Energy and Commerce Committee.”
“Healthcare policy can be complicated, but simply speaking, this legislation seeks to increase the successful prevention of occurrence and effective treatment of strokes. I’m glad our bipartisan legislation - which makes fighting strokes a priority in our national healthcare community - is moving closer to full consideration by the Energy and Commerce Committee,” said Congressman Chip Pickering of Mississippi, the lead Republican on the measure.
“Stroke is a major medical emergency and threatens the lives and quality of life of so many Americans every day. We are truly excited that the subcommittee took such quick action on the STOP Stroke Act in the 110th Congress,” said Ralph L. Sacco, M.D., Chair, American Stroke Association Stroke Advisory Committee. “The STOP Stroke Act will help save lives by enhancing awareness about stroke symptoms and ensuring that those who suffer a stroke are treated as rapidly as possible with the most appropriate therapy.”
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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