CONTACT: Martha Auster
Director of Government Relations, New York State
518.384.4735 or Martha.Auster@heart.org
@HeartROC #NYTimeIsBrain
American Stroke Association Thanks Sen. Murphy and New York Senate for Passing Life-Saving Stroke Designation Legislation
Association Urges Assembly To Pass Legislation Before Session Ends
Albany, New York – The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association thanks Sen. Terry Murphy (R-Yorktown) and the entire state Senate for passing stroke designation legislation – S.5771-A. The bill passed unanimously yesterday, June 9.
“The American Stroke Association is deeply grateful for Senator Murphy’s leadership in our unified goal to improve stroke care in New York,” said American Stroke Association spokesman Dr. Mitchell Elkind, professor of neurology and epidemiology, and head of the Division of Neurology Clinical Outcomes Research and Population Sciences at Columbia University in New York City. “This legislation championed by Senator Murphy will establish the model stroke center hospital designation that many other states are currently implementing. It’s time that New York embraces this standard of care so that all New Yorkers will be able to benefit from the best possible stroke treatment.”
State Senator Terrence Murphy said, “As a healthcare professional I can attest to the fact that stroke center designations will save lives. I am proud to have partnered with the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association to lead the fight on this common sense legislation that has already been established in other states across the nation. This important legislation passed with unanimous bipartisan support and I urge my colleagues in the Assembly to follow suit before this year’s session ends.”
The legislation is pending in the New York State Assembly and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association thanks Assemblyman Mike Simanowitz (D-Queens) for his strong leadership as the Assembly sponsor of the bill.
The American Stroke Association created a brief video that explains why this legislation will improve upon the current statewide designation of primary stroke centers. It can be viewed here. http://bit.ly/1Og2lU6.
“The American Stroke Association is thrilled to have as supportive a sponsor in the Assembly as in the Senate,” said Bob Elling, paramedic and chair of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s New York State Advocacy Committee. “For a stroke patient, getting the right care as quickly as possible is critical to survival and reduced disability. We hope that the Assembly uses the short remaining time in this legislative session to ensure that stroke victims don’t lose the critical time they need to get the best possible treatment.”
The legislation will improve stroke care by designating three types of stroke hospitals, identifying transport protocols for stroke patients, and creating a stroke registry to track outcomes.
“Medical research shows that proper response for stroke patients is a huge factor in saving lives and improving quality of life,” said Assemblyman Simanowitz. “I was proud to work on the implementation of our current system of stroke patient care in New York and I am committed to its improvement by passing this bill. I urge all my colleagues in the Assembly to show their support of this legislation that would save thousands of lives across our state.”
Stroke is the No. 5 killer of all Americans, with 780,000 new and recurrent strokes taking place each year. Of them, 163,000 are fatal. Current, cutting-edge treatments – which including clot- busting medication and a device that surgeons use to remove clots from the brain – depend on rapid diagnosis of a stroke and timely treatment, which necessitates this legislation.
About the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.