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House of Representatives Passes Stroke Legislation - Please Thank Your Representatives and Urge Your Senators to Pass this Legislation! On March 27, the House of Representatives passed the STOP Stroke Act (H.R. 477) by voice vote. That same day, a broader version of the legislation (S. 999) was introduced in the Senate by Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA). The House bill, introduced by Lois Capps (DCA) and Chip Pickering (R-MS) aims to make stroke more widely recognized by the public, and to improve treatment by filling gaps in stroke care. Provisions of the bill include a national public awareness campaign to highlight warning signs and increase prevention; a national registry and clearinghouse to collect data and share best practices; a grant program for training healthcare professionals on new diagnostic approaches, technologies and therapies; and a five year pilot on telemedicine networks for stroke. The Senate version would also authorize grants to states for the development and implementation of stroke care systems beyond telemedicine. Please contact your Representative and thank them for voting for this important legislation. In addition, please urge your Senators to enact S.999. You may send your letter via the AANS/CNS Legislative Action Center at: http://capwiz.com/noc/issues/alert/?alertid=9603131. Sample letters have been created for you, which you may edit to fit your own local situation. You are highly encouraged to add personal information, which strengthens your message. If you have any questions, please contact Lori Shoaf, Senior Manager, Legislative Affairs in the AANS/CNS Washington Office at lshoaf@neurosurgery.org or 202/628-2072.