HARRISBURG – The state Senate today unanimously passed Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr.’s (R-47) legislation which focuses on improving access to stroke resources.
According to the Center for Disease Control, strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Each year, more than 795,000 people experience a stroke – with 610,000 of those being first or new strokes.
Senate Bill 411 amends the Stroke System of Care Act to establish a statewide stroke registry which would be administered and maintained by the state Department of Health.
“When someone suffers a stroke, time is of the essence when it comes to getting medical care,” said Vogel. “This registry would help deliver resources to emergency medical service providers, hospital stroke teams, and other healthcare providers to ensure high quality stroke care for patients.”
The American Heart Association, which supports Senate Bill 411, has for years been championing stroke registries to improve patient outcomes.
Vogel added, “I want to thank my colleagues for the overwhelming bipartisan support on this legislation as well as thank the American Heart Association for their continued support. Advancing efforts to improve Pennsylvania’s health care continues to be a top priority of mine.”
The advancement of Vogel’s stroke registry bill is the third health care-focused bill of his to gain momentum in the General Assembly.
Last session year saw enactment of Vogel’s landmark legislation to expand telemedicine (Act 42 of 2024) and increase access to sexual assault nurse examiners (Act 59 of 2023).
WATCH: Senator Vogel urges passage of his stroke registry bill.
CONTACT: Abby Chiumento, 717-787-3076