[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S15299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. COCHRAN (for himself and Mr. Kennedy):
  S. 1909. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to improve 
stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation; to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is a privilege to join with Senator 
Cochran in supporting the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act 
of 2003. The STOP Stroke Act is a vital first step in building a 
national network of effective care to diagnose and quickly treat 
victims of stroke.
  For over 20 years, stroke has consistently been the third leading 
cause of death in our country. Every 45 seconds, another American 
suffers a stroke. Every 3 minutes, another American dies. Few families 
today are untouched by this cruel, debilitating, and often fatal 
disease that strikes indiscriminately, robbing us of our loved ones.
  More than ever today, help is available. Modern medicine is 
generating new scientific advances that increase the chance of survival 
and partial or even full recovery following a stroke. We are learning 
how to manage this disease more effectively, and we are also learning 
how to prevent it from happening in the first place.
  But science doesn't save lives and protect health by itself. We have 
to put new discoveries into action. We need to educate as many people 
as possible about the warning signs of stroke, so that they know enough 
to seek medical attention. We need to train doctors and nurses in the 
best techniques of care. We need better ways to treat victims as 
quickly and as effectively as possible--so that they have the best 
chance of full recovery.
  Our bill provides grants to States to develop statewide programs for 
stroke care, so that the most effective care will be available to 
patients as quickly and efficiently as possible to reduce the level of 
disability caused by stroke.
  Stroke systems will rely on information sharing among agencies and 
individuals involved in the study and provision of care, in addition to 
training for health professionals on the signs of stroke and guidelines 
on best practices.
  The bill also authorizes the Secretary of HHS, acting through CDC, to 
operate the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry to develop 
and collect data and analyze the care of acute stroke patients. Funds 
were appropriated for the registry at the end of the last Congress, but 
the registry has not yet been authorized. In fact, the Senate passed 
the act unanimously last year, and it came very close to House passage. 
Literally millions of our fellow citizens will benefit from the lives 
saved and the better care they will receive as a result of this 
legislation. It's long past time for Congress to act.
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