Advocate for better stroke care in Massachusetts by writing to your local newspaper

This past summer, the Massachusetts Senate voted to support a bill that would ensure stroke patients get the best treatment as quickly as possible.

The bill, which passed in a 40-0 vote, would allow first responders to transport stroke patients to the facilities best-equipped to treat them, rather than the closest, ensuring they immediately get the care that could save their lives and prevent disability.

The fate of this legislation now lies with the the state House of Representatives. We’re urging House Speaker Robert DeLeo to put this bill up for a vote as soon as possible. You can join us in this effort by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper showing your support for this issue.

A letter to a newspaper is a great way to spread awareness . Similar to writing an op-ed, your letter can be focused on more of an emotional experience with your cause, or it could be more straightforward and fact-based.

We’ve included several letter to the editor templates below in different word counts. Newspapers have varying requirements for letters, so make sure to check the website or print version of your media outlet to make sure you’re following their guidelines. You can use this template to help us generate support for this stroke bill and ultimately save lives and prevent disability. Thank you!

 

400 Words or Less
More than 2,000 Massachusetts residents die from stroke every year and even more are left with long-term disabilities. In many cases, this could be prevented. They key is ensuring stroke patients get to the right hospital as quickly as possible.

This is not happening in Massachusetts.

That’s why I’m calling on House Speaker Robert DeLeo to schedule a vote on Senate Bill 2835, “An Act to Prevent Death and Disability from Stroke.” This bill would ensure stroke patients immediately get the care that could save their lives and prevent disability.

In Massachusetts, first responders are required by law to take stroke patients to the closest hospital, regardless of the stroke’s severity. Unfortunately, the closest hospital may not be the hospital best equipped to treat them.

The legislation passed by the state Senate in July would ensure patients experiencing the most severe cases of stroke are transported to hospitals capable of performing procedures to remove the blood clot causing the stroke, restore blood supply to the brain, and save threatened tissue.

INSERT PERSONAL REASONS FOR SUPPORTING THE BILL HERE [100 words or less]

This bill is especially crucial as we deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

With Massachusetts hospitals seeing an increase in patients due to COVID-19, it is critical that stroke patients are taken the proper hospital first. Any delays in transferring a patient from one hospital to another could be catastrophic. Moreover, because some racial/ethnic groups, such as African Americans, are more likely to die from stroke, it is imperative that nothing prevents them from getting the best treatment right away.

In the United States, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds. Getting the right treatment immediately may minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death. With the leadership of our state lawmakers, we can save lives and prevent disability.

 

350 Words or Less
More than 2,000 Massachusetts residents die from stroke every year and even more are left with long-term disabilities. In many cases, this could be prevented. They key is ensuring stroke patients get to the right hospital as quickly as possible.

This is not happening in Massachusetts.

That’s why I’m calling on House Speaker Robert DeLeo to schedule a vote on Senate Bill 2835, “An Act to Prevent Death and Disability from Stroke.” This bill would ensure stroke patients immediately get the care that could save their lives and prevent disability.

In Massachusetts, first responders are required by law to take stroke patients to the closest hospital, regardless of the stroke’s severity. Unfortunately, the closest hospital may not be the hospital best equipped to treat them.

The legislation passed by the state Senate in July would ensure patients experiencing the most severe cases of stroke are transported to hospitals capable of performing procedures to remove the blood clot causing the stroke, restore blood supply to the brain, and save threatened tissue.

INSERT PERSONAL REASONS FOR SUPPORTING THE BILL HERE [80 words or less]

This bill is especially crucial as we deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

With Massachusetts hospitals seeing an increase in patients due to COVID-19, it is critical that stroke patients are taken the proper hospital first. Any delays in transferring a patient from one hospital to another could be catastrophic.

In the United States, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds. Getting the right treatment immediately may minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death. With the leadership of our state lawmakers, we can save lives and prevent disability.

 

250 Words or Less
More than 2,000 Massachusetts residents die from stroke every year and even more are left with long-term disabilities.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

In Massachusetts, first responders are required by law to take stroke patients to the closest hospital, regardless of the stroke’s severity. Unfortunately, the closest hospital is not always the best hospital.

In July, the Massachusetts Senate passed a bill (Senate Bill 2835) that would change this law by ensuring patients experiencing the most severe cases of stroke are transported to hospitals capable of performing procedures to remove the blood clot causing the stroke, restore blood supply to the brain, and save threatened tissue.

I am urging House Speaker Robert DeLeo to schedule a vote on this bill.

INSERT PERSONAL REASONS FOR SUPPORTING THE BILL HERE [90 words or less]

It is critical that stroke patients get proper medical attention immediately. With the leadership of our state lawmakers, we can minimize the long-term effects of stroke and prevent death.

 

200 Words or Less
More than 2,000 Massachusetts residents die from stroke every year and even more are left with long-term disabilities.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

In Massachusetts, first responders are required by law to take stroke patients to the closest hospital, regardless of the stroke’s severity. Unfortunately, the closest hospital is not always the best hospital.

In July, the Massachusetts Senate passed a bill (Senate Bill 2835) that would ensure patients experiencing the most severe cases of stroke are transported to hospitals capable of performing procedures to remove the blood clot causing the stroke, restore blood supply to the brain, and save threatened tissue.

I am urging House Speaker Robert DeLeo to schedule a vote on this bill.

INSERT PERSONAL REASONS FOR SUPPORTING THE BILL HERE [45 words or less]

It is critical that stroke patients get proper medical attention immediately. With the leadership of our state lawmakers, we can minimize the long-term effects of stroke and prevent death.