Jun. 12, 2017
HARRISBURG – Earlier today, the governor signed into law legislation authored by state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Berks/Lehigh) to improve stroke care for all individuals across Pennsylvania.
Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of serious long-term disability.
House Bill 23, now Act 4 of 2017, will help emergency responders determine where the closest and best possible treatment facility is to take stroke victims depending on the severity and type of stroke occurring.
“The quicker a person receives appropriate treatment for a stroke, the better the outcome can be in terms of survival and reduced long-term complications and disability,” said Mackenzie. “With better information available to first responders, we are in a position to improve the type of care stroke victims receive from the onset. My legislation will make sure that information is used by all first responders across the state.”
The new law takes advantage of new federal guidelines that create three specific levels of certified stroke centers to treat patients based on their individual needs. The three levels of certification are primary stroke centers, acute stoke-ready hospitals, and comprehensive stroke centers.
With more than 800,000 people suffering from strokes each year in the United States, Mackenzie noted the need to have an action plan in place to ensure the best possible health outcomes.
“I want to thank all those who helped get this legislation across the finish line,” said Mackenzie. “We had a great group of people who worked together on this issue to improve stroke care, including those from the American Stroke Association, Lehigh Valley Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, Cetronia Ambulance Company, and many more. I look forward to having improved stroke care available to patients all across the Commonwealth going forward.”
Representative Ryan Mackenzie
134th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepMackenzie.com /
Facebook.com/RepMackenzie