Stroke Awareness Month

Floor Speech

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Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Stroke Awareness Month celebrated in May of each year.

Mr. Speaker, every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke.

In fact, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, killing nearly 430,000 Americans every year.

Yet, by making simple lifestyle changes, according to the National Stroke Association 80 percent of all strokes are preventable.

Unfortunately, many wait until it is too late:

I know, because I had a stroke when I was 49 years old.

Since that fateful day and a year of rehabilitation, I have worked hard to increase awareness alongside the American Heart Association, National Stroke Association, Women's Heart Alliance and many others.

However, we can and must do more.

That is why, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, I urge my colleagues to join me in raising greater awareness of stroke by cosponsoring my resolution, H. Res. 337.

Together we can combat this devastating illness and help find long- term solutions to better prevent, treat, and improve the lives of Americans and their families affected by stroke.

I thank my colleagues for passing the FAST Act in the Omnibus, because it expands access to telehealth-eligible stroke services under the Medicare program.

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