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Managing America: Health

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Week Ending March 30, 2006

H.R.477 To amend the Public Health Service Act to strengthen education, prevention, and treatment programs relating to stroke, and for other purposes.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to put forth a national education campaign to promote stroke prevention and increase the number of stroke patients who seek immediate treatment, the Congressional Research Service explained.

One way to accomplish the directive is to maintain the Paul Cloverdell National Acute Stroke Registry and Clearinghouse by collecting data points and benchmarks for stroke care analysis and by compiling information on state, local and private care systems achievements and problems.

The grant program for emergency residency training to respond to stroke, traumatic injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Other grants would go to professionals using diagnostic approaches, technologies and therapies for stroke and traumatic injury prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehab. Seven state and private entities may receive grants for a five year pilot project to improve stroke patient outcomes by coordinating health care through telehealth networks.

The Telehealth program will identifying entities with expertise in the delivery of high-quality stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation;  working with those entities to establish or improve telehealth networks to provide stroke treatment assistance and resources to health care professionals, hospitals, and other individuals and entities that serve stroke patients;  informing emergency medical systems of the location of entities to facilitate the appropriate transport of individuals with stroke symptoms; establishing networks to coordinate collaborative activities for stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation; improving access to high-quality stroke care, especially for populations with a shortage of stroke care specialists and populations with a high incidence of stroke; and conducting ongoing performance and quality evaluations to identify collaborative activities that improve clinical outcomes for stroke patients.

Sponsor:  Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA-23^rd)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote March 26, 3007.

Cost to the taxpayers: “The bill would authorize the appropriation for those purposes of $19 million for 2008 and $95 million over the 2008-2012 period. Assuming appropriation of the specified amounts, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 477 would cost $7 million in 2008 and $82 million over the 2008-2012 period.”

Earmark Certification:   Not applicable to this bill.

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